Difference between revisions of "Kleine Gemeinde zu Spanish Lookout, Belize"

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<ref>D. F. Dueck and John B. Loewen, "Spanish Lookout Colony, Belize," ''Global Mennonite Encyclopedia Online''. http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/S6803.html/ (accessed 29 July 2009).</ref> <ref name="spanish">"Spanish Lookout," ''MyBelizeAdventure.com'', http://www.mybelizeadventure.com/destinations/cayo/spanishlook/ (accessed 29 July 2009).</ref> <ref name="spanish" />
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The '''Kleine Gemeinde''' came to Belize in 1958. They left the Quellen Colony, Chihauhua, Mexico looking for land. In Belize's Cayo District, located on the north side of the Belize River, they settled 18,500 acres in the jungle that became the Spanish Lookout Colony.<ref name="spanish"> In addition, oil was recently discovered in Spanish Lookout.&amp;amp;amp;lt;ref&amp;amp;amp;gt;Romero.</ref>  
+
The '''Blue Creek''' community is spotted in a flat landscape with a few low hills. There are approximately 750 people living there as of 2009, and this number has remained relatively constant since the foundation of the colony in 1958, historically shifting between 500 & 1000 people.<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref> This makes Blue Creek the fourth or fifth largest Mennonite colony in Belize and is considered one of the most progressive Mennonite colonies in Belize alongside Spanish Lookout because of their use of agricultural machinery, tractors and harvesters with rubber tires, use of automobiles, computers, air conditioning, television, radio, refrigerators, computer games and mobile phones.<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref> Blue Creek enjoys a strong economic position and has significant economic exchange with Belizean society - Blue Creek produces a large chunk of the nation’s rice, corn, beef and poultry and also builds roads and operates heavy equipment all over the country.<ref name="News5"> http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/5358 </ref>
  
Today (2009), Spanish Lookout is Belize's most modern Mennonite Community.<ref>"Churches," ''Spanish Lookout'', http://www.spanishlookout.bz/churches/church.htm (accessed 29 July 2009).</ref> The Mennonites in Spanish Lookout are major producers of dairy, poultry, vegetables and cattle.{{StoriesBlock
+
The inhabitants are diverse and can be categorized into groups according to church (EMMC [Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference] or Kleine Gemeinde), origin (Canadian Mennonites or Belizean Mennonites), language (Low German or English) and wealth (rich or poor). The '''Kleine Gemeinde''' adherents in Blue Creek use Low German as their main language whereas EMMC Mennonites speak English. The Kleine Gemeinde also dress in traditional clothing such as dresses with flower designs for women and overalls and blouses for men.<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref>
|PageName=Kleine Gemeinde
 
}} Furniture manufacturing, house construction, and automotive industry are also important parts of the Spanish Lookout economy.<ref>Carl R. Jantzen, “The Mennonites of Spanish Lookout,”  ''Washington Times'', (June 1989): 665.</ref>  
 
  
While [[Kleine Gemeinde]] settled the Spanish Lookout Colony, today (2009) the colony is made up of both Kleine Geiemende and [[Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference, Belize|Evangelical Mennonite Mission Church (EMMC)]] communities.<references />  
+
Edental is the district of the Blue Creek colony that houses most of the Kleine Gemeinde families.<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref>
  
<br> Similar in background to the Old Colony Mennonites, the Kleine Gemeinde (“small church”) also left Mexico and settled in Belize in 1958. There they founded a colony (a block of hundreds of adjacent acres of land) known as Spanish Lookout. (Of Dutch-Russian background, the Kleine Gemeinde had settled in Canada in the 1870s and then immigrated to Mexico in 1948.) Members speak Low German and wear traditional clothing but use modern technology and have an evangelical religious view that has attracted some Old Colony Mennonite converts. The group has five congregations (about 800 members) in two colonies: Blue Creek (formerly a colony of the Old Colony Mennonites) and Spanish Lookout. This group has related congregations in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.<ref>Donald B. Kraybill, Concise Encyclopedia of Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010), 228.</ref>  
+
The name Klein Gemeinde (small church) was formed in 1812, when a division occurred among Russian Mennonites. Napoleon invaded Russia and some Mennonites pledged money in support of the Russian army. The Klein Gemeinde believed that as a non-resistance group they could not contribute money towards an aggressive movement. <ref name="Haniewicz"> Haniewicz, J. (1991). A Mennonite story. London, England: J. Haniewicz. </ref>
  
<br>
 
  
<br>
 
  
Click on the following link to learn more about the Mennonite experience in [[Belize]].
+
== Foundation of Blue Creek & the Formation of the Kleine Gemeinde church in Blue Creek ==
  
<br>  
+
The '''Blue Creek''' community was established in 1958 by Old Colony delegates from Mexico, who found the Blue Creek tract of land preferable to others due to its relative isolation in northwest Belize - isolation from the influence of the world. The Mennonite migration from Mexico to Belize was caused mainly by increasingly aggressive attempts by the Mexican government to incorporate Mennonite youth into the ''Seguro Social'', or social security system, which clashed with a Mennonite conviction on remaining separate from the world. <ref name="Koop"> Koop, G. S. (1991). Pioneer years in Belize. Belize City, Belize, C.A: G.S. Koop. </ref>
  
== History  ==
+
While the colony was originally affiliated with the Altkolonier church, or Old Colony Mennonites as aforementioned, the colony's affiliation has changed as a result of an early split. This split occurred shortly after the immigration of these Mennonites from Mexico, and revolved around issues of technology, namely the use of the rubber tire. The permissiveness of technology is a legacy inherited from when the Mennonites lived in Mexico, where these issues threatened the solidarity of the group towards the end of their stay in Mexico. In order to keep in touch with the Altkolonier position on technology, church leaders in the early Blue Creek colony invoked ostracism and excommunication against members who were partial to non-traditionally accepted forms of technology, such as the rubber tire, that was adopted when members of the colony realized the hilly, difficult terrain wasn't conducive to the use of steel tires or horses.<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref>
  
=== Origins  ===
+
However, due to the practicality associated with the use of rubber tires, a significant portion of the Blue colony ended up being excommunicated, and a large rift was formed between members of the community. Those of the community that refused to adapt to the difficult environment with the adoption of the rubber tire moved to Shipyard, Bolivia and Paraguay, while the more progressive members chose to stay. Today, Blue Creek is one of the most modern Mennonite colonies in Belize and has a thriving agricultural business.<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref>
  
The Mennonites in Belize come from Russian Mennonite groups who initially emigrated from Russia and moved to Canada in early 1900s fleeing the Russian Revolution. These groups then migrated to Mexico. In 1958 when the Mexican government demanded religious integration into schools and the social security system three Mennonite groups; [[Altkolonier Mennonitengemeinde|Altkolonier]] (Old Colony), [[Kleine Gemeinde]] (Small Community), and [[Sommerfelder Mennonitengemeinde|Sommerfelder]] (Sommerfeld) Mennonites; began immigrating to Belize because they felt that in Belize they could remain separated from society.  
+
The EMMC, in response to some of the distress the early colony was expressing over the decision to use rubber tires, sent help to help develop organization and relieve some of the tensions in the community in 1964 with the arrival of Jake and Verna Martens, who helped initiate an EMMC church, the Linda Vista EMMC School and the Blue Creek Medical Centre.<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref>
  
=== Growth  ===
+
By the 1970s, most of the Old Colony families had moved away, and this is when the Kleine Gemeinde church from Spanish Lookout came to help those that weren't sure how to live in the tension between the Old Colony and EMMC. Thus, the Kleine Gemeinde church in Blue Colony was founded.<ref name="Roessingh"> Roessingh, C. H., Plasil, T., & Visser, P. (2009). Between horse & buggy and four-wheel drive: Change and diversity among Mennonite settlements in Belize, Central America. Amsterdam: VU University Press. </ref> However, the Kleine Gemeinde church traces its origins in Belize to Spanish Lookout, where delegates of the church first chose to inhabit Spanish Lookout due to the relative scarcity of insects and higher altitude. <ref name="Koop"> </ref>
  
=== Contemporary Trends  ===
+
== Religion<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref> ==
  
== Annotated Bibliography  ==
+
(Because little is in literature concerning key details concerning the Kleine Gemeinde church within Blue Creek, the following information is largely taken from Roessingh's research into the Kleine Gemeinde church within Spanish Lookout, which is expected to be largely representative and similar to the church in Blue Creek)
  
*Dueck, D. F. and Loewen, John B. . "Spanish Lookout Colony, Belize." ''Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online''. 1989. http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contentsS6803.html (accessed 1 November 2008).
+
=== Key Commitments ===
  
::This is an online source that gives a short but comprehensive overview of the Spanish Lookout colony. It briefly describes the colony's history and then gives a few insights into the colony’s government and tax system.
+
At a fundamental level, the Kleine Gemeinde church relies on the basic assumption that brotherhood is the basis of the community and the church. The Bible provides principles, which it is the task of the church to turn into applications. There are boundaries to these applications which take form in the role of rules within the Kleine Gemeinde community, which those outside of the Kleine Gemeinde often describe as overly binding and confining. Those outside the church express a desire for some freedom in making their own decisions. It is the position of the Kleine Gemeinde church that these rules are as they are in order to turn Biblical principles into applications, which are the basis for brotherhood and thus for community. These rules are needed to preserve that brotherhood.
  
*“From Hardship to Success.” ''Belize Tourism Board: Belizean Journeys''. 2008. www.belizeanjourneys.com/features/spanish_lookout/newsletter.html (accessed 24 September 2008).
+
With all this being said, the Kleine Gemeinde church is sympathetic to other churches and this desire for freedom, and maintains an open relationship with other churches. Also, the Kleine Gemeinde realize the desire and need for a change in perspective at times and try, within reason, to accommodate these needs.
  
::The article on this website “From hardship to success, celebrating the Mennonite’s 50th anniversary in Belize” (2008), describes the fiftieth anniversary festivities. The page also includes an online photo album with a hundred pictures that show the festivities in Spanish Lookout. For the fiftieth anniversary celebrations, despite its history of isolation from the rest of Belize, the community opened its doors for the public and government.
+
=== Daily life of the Kleine Gemeinde Church ===
  
*Jantzen, Carl R. “The Mennonites of Spanish Lookout.” ''Washington Times'' (June 1989): 664-673.
+
On a given Sunday during church service, men sit on the left and women on the right on long wooden benches. Women wear small back head coverings. The basis for use of head coverings is taken from I Corinthians 11: 5-6. Members see the use of coverings as a way to please God, as they believe God has a special blessing for those who live up to the rules outlined in Scripture.
  
::This is a news story about Mennonite Colony in Spanish Lookout. It describes the colony, its history and contemporary life as of 1989. The article is intended to inform the audience, in a simple manner about the group and their mission. The article covers themes like, Kleine Gemeinde migration to Spanish Lookout, adaptation to Belize, family-household, adolescent years, marriage. The article a helpful description of Mennonite life in Spanish Lookout.
+
Hymns are sung without music and in German. The sermons in the Kleine Gemeinde church are well organized.
  
*G.S. Koop. (1991). ''Pioneer Year in Belize. Country Graphics &amp; Printing''
+
===What the Future Holds===
 +
Due to Blue Creek's relative financial success in different fields, it is emerging as a sort of business, so a challenge the group faces within the next 50 years is remaining separate and isolated from the world despite meeting with economic success and developing a burgeoning agricultural business, as well as other businesses.
  
*Nicholson, Samuel. "Mennonites in Belize: Mennonite contribution to the Belizean economy, 1957-present." Goshen College Term Paper (2007). Mennonite Historical Library (MHL).
+
Also, some integration with the native population is expected at some point, so a distinct challenge the church might face in the coming years is the potential tension between ethnic and converted members. The distinction is laid out by Roessingh when describing the Beachy Amish plight: "...ethnic Mennonites are missionary Mennonites from America that have their own history and identity" (180).<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref> He juxtaposes the ethnic Mennonites with Belizean Mennonites, and describes how identity formation can be potentially different for both groups. Consider statistics published by the 2000 census of the Central Statistical Office of Belize which states that there are 8,276 ethnic Mennonites and 9,497 religious Mennonites, a difference of 1,221 - this indicates that this amount of people are Belizean Mennonites, which is a significant portion of the total amount of people identified as Mennonites in Belize (180).<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref> Therefore, these Belizean Mennonites are religiously identified as Mennonites, but have a drastically different cultural identity, which offers a peculiar challenge for the church to face within the coming years, as native Belizeans are converted to the Mennonite faith. The church will have to navigate the tension of conflicting cultural interests between the ethnic and converted Mennonites and somehow mediate this effectively to remain faithful to its Mennonite heritage.
  
::This is a term paper, written by a Goshen College student. The paper explores the Spanish Lookout Mennonite colony and its contributions to Belize. The writer sites many personal interviews that were conducted in Belize. This author mainly looks at the agricultural and small industry (i.e. furniture) contributions from Spanish Lookout. Nicholson, argues that the people of Spanish Lookout have lived in a symbiotic relationship with Belizeans.
+
The following was taken from a News5 Article covering the celebration of the colony's 50th anniversary in 2008, and compares somewhat how the community is today compared to when it was first founded, as well as mentioning some of what the future might hold for this community:<ref name="News5"> </ref>
  
*Penner, Heinrich R., Reimer, John D. and Reimer, Leonard M. ''Spanish Lookout since 1958; Progress in Action''. Spanish Lookout, Cayo, Belize, 2008.
+
::'''Stewart Krohn'''
 +
::“Do you get the feeling that your generation was a little bit spoiled, that you didn’t have to do those things growing up?”
  
::''Spanish Lookout since 1958'' is a book compiled by the people of Spanish Lookout. The three men noted in the bibliography are the book organizers, but the book has authors ranging from the first immigrant to persons who came to Spanish Lookout as recently as 2007. This book contains a wide variety of information from personal journals and poems to detailed accounts of colony organization and government. There are also scanned copies of immigration and land acquisition records. The organizers of this book also noted several other important sources on the Spanish Lookout colony. This sources offers a rich first-person insight into the history of Spanish Lookout.
+
::'''Victor Dyck, Blue Creek Resident'''
 +
::“Oh yeah, I mean well if you look at it now how we have it compared to what they had it back fifty years ago when they came here, I would say in a way we’re spoiled and in a way we’re very blessed as well.
  
*Sawatzky, H. L. ''They Sought a Country: Mennonite Colonization in Mexico''. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1971.
+
::'''Stewart Krohn'''
 +
::“The first fifty years in this country have been good to the Mennonites of Blue Creek and from the looks of things the next fifty should be just as successful [economically].
  
::While this source deals primarily with the Mennonite experience in Mexico it also offers historical reasons for Mennonites leaving Mexico and settling in Belize. It explores the trials and triumphs of the first generations of migrants to Belize (British Honduras). This source provides a useful broad description of the Mennonite experience in Belize.
+
=== Mennonite Identity ===
 +
Little can be found in the literature regarding specific theological commitments Mennonites in Belize (and in Blue creek in specific) still have and share in common with the Global Anabaptist Church. Some commitments that can be inferred from descriptions of these groups is a continuing commitment to isolation from the world. Blue Creek was originally chosen because of its relative isolation from the larger country, in hopes that this isolation would promote and help keep this devotion to the Mennonite heritage. Despite the change in churches from the original Old Colony Mennonites to Kleine Gemeinde and EMMC today, the physical isolation of the Blue Creek community in northwest Belize still serves as a symbol of Mennonite isolation from the worldly community. However, with increased technological adaptation in the community and in general, this isolation is becoming much less pronounced than it was in 1958, when access to the community was very difficult.
  
*"The School Board, Spanish Lookout." ''Our Country of Belize''. Spanish Lookout: The School Board, 1981.
+
A second commitment these Mennonites hold is that of the community of believers, and Blue Creek still exists primarily as a community within the larger Belizean society. Group solidarity remains important to Blue Creek members and the group still holds priority over the larger community.
  
::This is a copy of the first textbook used for the primary schools in Spanish Lookout and offers insight into the educational system in the Mennonite Colony in Spanish Lookout.
+
The following was taken from a News5 Article covering the celebration of the colony's 50th anniversary in 2008:<ref name="News5"> </ref>
  
*Snider, Howard. "Agriculture in the Kleine Gemeinde Community of Spanish Lookout, Belize." ''Mennonite Life''. (March 1980): 19.
+
::'''Stewart Krohn:'''
  
::This article gives a brief description of the agricultural economy of the Spanish Lookout Colony in 1980.
+
::“Having been born here yet being a Mennonite, do you feel more Belizean or more Mennonite? What is your identity?”
  
*''Spanish Lookout'' http://www.spanishlookout.bz (accessed 24 September 2008.
+
::'''Abe Froese, Mayor, Blue Creek:'''
  
::This is the home page and website for the Spanish Lookout community. This website includes information about everything from job listings to the communities local churches. Also included is a section called history that relates personal accounts from the Russian Revolution to the story of George Price, the Belizean leader who helped Mennonites move from Mexico to Belize.
+
::“Belizean. I’m a Mennonite but I don’t think we should pull back from being a Belizean. Our commitment should be to Belize from early. It’s our responsibility to help build the nation of Belize. Yes, I am a Belizean. Our parents, they have always worked hard. I think that’s the starting point but from there we’ve had good—we’ve had a lot of help from the government. They helped us really when we needed help. Our ministers have supported us.
  
*"Spanish Lookout: A Modern Mennonite Community." ''MyBelizeAdventure.com''. http://www.mybelizeadventure.com/destinations/cayo/spanishlook/ (accessed 29 July 2009).
+
== Relation to Outside World and Colony Dynamics<ref name="Roessingh"> </ref> ==
  
::This website supplies travel information about Belize. The article about Spanish Lookout, Belize describes, generally, the Mennonite community, including its location in Belize and its economic activity.
+
The Blue Creek Mennonites stay in constant contact with the world outside their community for business and private matters. The main place of interaction between Blue Creek Mennonites and local people is at shops and markets in town. This is the main place of interaction because this is where the Blue Creek Mennonites go to sell their products or buy products not offered within their community. The relative economic success Blue Creek has developed and maintained, in relation to the other Mennonite colonies, makes it one of the colonies with the most interaction with Belizean society.
  
== Citations  ==
+
Because of business interactions with the larger society, an Anabaptist theological commitment of isolation from the world is more loosely followed than other Mennonite colonies in Belize, as these business and economic exchanges and interactions make isolation tough. However, Blue Creek is still isolated, and the degree to which they interact with the larger society is often limited to the economic and business spheres, as the Kleine Gemeinde church has its own school system, clinic and shops. The Blue Creek colony in general has its own bank system as well and their own set of rules and regulations that keep them segregated from the larger society.
  
<references />
+
To outsiders of the Blue Creek community, distinctions are made only by religion and life style, which is to say that, to outsiders, the distinction between the EMMC church and the Kleine Gemeinde church is hard to make. However, within the community, these distinctions are clear. While the separate churches do interact, as is expected if both live within the same community, there do exist distinctions aside from clothing and language spoken. This distinction is evident in the entrepeneural activities of the two churches. For example, Carribean Chicken originates from a Kleine Gemeinde background and employs mostly Kleine Gemeinde members, whereas Circle R., a rice mill company, comes from an EMMC background and employs mostly EMMC members.
  
[[Category:Russian_Mennonite_Groups]] [[Category:Belize]]
+
== Relevant links and Suggestions for Further Reading ==
 +
 
 +
'''''Roessingh, Plassil'''''
 +
 
 +
This book provides an excellent summary and overview of Mennonite colonies within Belize, with an in-depth chapter on several colonies. It provides history, current and past issues, an economic overview, and the general context within which the Anabaptist story is unfolding within Belize.
 +
 
 +
Roessingh, C. H., Plasil, T., & Visser, P. (2009). Between horse & buggy and four-wheel drive: Change and diversity among Mennonite settlements in Belize, Central America. Amsterdam: VU University Press.
 +
 
 +
'''''Sawatzky'''''
 +
 
 +
This book, published in 1971, provides a ''detailed'' look at economic issues the early Mennonite settlers of British Honduras faced, as well as other issues. Good source for information on the foundation of Mennonite colonies in British Honduras.
 +
 
 +
Sawatzky, H. L. (1971). They sought a country: Mennonite colonization in Mexico. With an appendix on Mennonite colonization in British Honduras. Berkeley: University of California.
 +
 
 +
'''''Pioneer Years in Belize'''''
 +
 
 +
This book gives a variety of first-hand accounts and reflections on initial Mennonite settlement in British Honduras by the very settlers. Most of the information is provided through story-telling and reflection of actual events. Also included are some short stories.
 +
 
 +
Koop, G. S. (1991). Pioneer years in Belize. Belize City, Belize, C.A: G.S. Koop
 +
 
 +
'''''Blue Creek Mennonites celebrate 50 years in belize (News Article 2008)'''''
 +
 
 +
http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/5358
 +
 
 +
=== '''''Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO) ''''' ===
 +
GAMEO entries on EMMC, Kleine Gemeinde & Blue Creek
 +
 
 +
Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC) -
 +
http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/E9365ME.html
 +
 
 +
Kleine Gemeinde -
 +
http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/K5446.html/?searchterm=kleine%20gemeinde
 +
 
 +
Blue Creek -
 +
http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/B577.html
 +
 
 +
==Citations==
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Russian Mennonite Groups]]
 +
[[Category:Belize]]

Revision as of 08:18, 6 April 2011

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The Blue Creek community is spotted in a flat landscape with a few low hills. There are approximately 750 people living there as of 2009, and this number has remained relatively constant since the foundation of the colony in 1958, historically shifting between 500 & 1000 people.[1] This makes Blue Creek the fourth or fifth largest Mennonite colony in Belize and is considered one of the most progressive Mennonite colonies in Belize alongside Spanish Lookout because of their use of agricultural machinery, tractors and harvesters with rubber tires, use of automobiles, computers, air conditioning, television, radio, refrigerators, computer games and mobile phones.[1] Blue Creek enjoys a strong economic position and has significant economic exchange with Belizean society - Blue Creek produces a large chunk of the nation’s rice, corn, beef and poultry and also builds roads and operates heavy equipment all over the country.[2]

The inhabitants are diverse and can be categorized into groups according to church (EMMC [Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference] or Kleine Gemeinde), origin (Canadian Mennonites or Belizean Mennonites), language (Low German or English) and wealth (rich or poor). The Kleine Gemeinde adherents in Blue Creek use Low German as their main language whereas EMMC Mennonites speak English. The Kleine Gemeinde also dress in traditional clothing such as dresses with flower designs for women and overalls and blouses for men.[1]

Edental is the district of the Blue Creek colony that houses most of the Kleine Gemeinde families.[1]

The name Klein Gemeinde (small church) was formed in 1812, when a division occurred among Russian Mennonites. Napoleon invaded Russia and some Mennonites pledged money in support of the Russian army. The Klein Gemeinde believed that as a non-resistance group they could not contribute money towards an aggressive movement. [3]


Foundation of Blue Creek & the Formation of the Kleine Gemeinde church in Blue Creek

The Blue Creek community was established in 1958 by Old Colony delegates from Mexico, who found the Blue Creek tract of land preferable to others due to its relative isolation in northwest Belize - isolation from the influence of the world. The Mennonite migration from Mexico to Belize was caused mainly by increasingly aggressive attempts by the Mexican government to incorporate Mennonite youth into the Seguro Social, or social security system, which clashed with a Mennonite conviction on remaining separate from the world. [4]

While the colony was originally affiliated with the Altkolonier church, or Old Colony Mennonites as aforementioned, the colony's affiliation has changed as a result of an early split. This split occurred shortly after the immigration of these Mennonites from Mexico, and revolved around issues of technology, namely the use of the rubber tire. The permissiveness of technology is a legacy inherited from when the Mennonites lived in Mexico, where these issues threatened the solidarity of the group towards the end of their stay in Mexico. In order to keep in touch with the Altkolonier position on technology, church leaders in the early Blue Creek colony invoked ostracism and excommunication against members who were partial to non-traditionally accepted forms of technology, such as the rubber tire, that was adopted when members of the colony realized the hilly, difficult terrain wasn't conducive to the use of steel tires or horses.[1]

However, due to the practicality associated with the use of rubber tires, a significant portion of the Blue colony ended up being excommunicated, and a large rift was formed between members of the community. Those of the community that refused to adapt to the difficult environment with the adoption of the rubber tire moved to Shipyard, Bolivia and Paraguay, while the more progressive members chose to stay. Today, Blue Creek is one of the most modern Mennonite colonies in Belize and has a thriving agricultural business.[1]

The EMMC, in response to some of the distress the early colony was expressing over the decision to use rubber tires, sent help to help develop organization and relieve some of the tensions in the community in 1964 with the arrival of Jake and Verna Martens, who helped initiate an EMMC church, the Linda Vista EMMC School and the Blue Creek Medical Centre.[1]

By the 1970s, most of the Old Colony families had moved away, and this is when the Kleine Gemeinde church from Spanish Lookout came to help those that weren't sure how to live in the tension between the Old Colony and EMMC. Thus, the Kleine Gemeinde church in Blue Colony was founded.[1] However, the Kleine Gemeinde church traces its origins in Belize to Spanish Lookout, where delegates of the church first chose to inhabit Spanish Lookout due to the relative scarcity of insects and higher altitude. [4]

Religion[1]

(Because little is in literature concerning key details concerning the Kleine Gemeinde church within Blue Creek, the following information is largely taken from Roessingh's research into the Kleine Gemeinde church within Spanish Lookout, which is expected to be largely representative and similar to the church in Blue Creek)

Key Commitments

At a fundamental level, the Kleine Gemeinde church relies on the basic assumption that brotherhood is the basis of the community and the church. The Bible provides principles, which it is the task of the church to turn into applications. There are boundaries to these applications which take form in the role of rules within the Kleine Gemeinde community, which those outside of the Kleine Gemeinde often describe as overly binding and confining. Those outside the church express a desire for some freedom in making their own decisions. It is the position of the Kleine Gemeinde church that these rules are as they are in order to turn Biblical principles into applications, which are the basis for brotherhood and thus for community. These rules are needed to preserve that brotherhood.

With all this being said, the Kleine Gemeinde church is sympathetic to other churches and this desire for freedom, and maintains an open relationship with other churches. Also, the Kleine Gemeinde realize the desire and need for a change in perspective at times and try, within reason, to accommodate these needs.

Daily life of the Kleine Gemeinde Church

On a given Sunday during church service, men sit on the left and women on the right on long wooden benches. Women wear small back head coverings. The basis for use of head coverings is taken from I Corinthians 11: 5-6. Members see the use of coverings as a way to please God, as they believe God has a special blessing for those who live up to the rules outlined in Scripture.

Hymns are sung without music and in German. The sermons in the Kleine Gemeinde church are well organized.

What the Future Holds

Due to Blue Creek's relative financial success in different fields, it is emerging as a sort of business, so a challenge the group faces within the next 50 years is remaining separate and isolated from the world despite meeting with economic success and developing a burgeoning agricultural business, as well as other businesses.

Also, some integration with the native population is expected at some point, so a distinct challenge the church might face in the coming years is the potential tension between ethnic and converted members. The distinction is laid out by Roessingh when describing the Beachy Amish plight: "...ethnic Mennonites are missionary Mennonites from America that have their own history and identity" (180).[1] He juxtaposes the ethnic Mennonites with Belizean Mennonites, and describes how identity formation can be potentially different for both groups. Consider statistics published by the 2000 census of the Central Statistical Office of Belize which states that there are 8,276 ethnic Mennonites and 9,497 religious Mennonites, a difference of 1,221 - this indicates that this amount of people are Belizean Mennonites, which is a significant portion of the total amount of people identified as Mennonites in Belize (180).[1] Therefore, these Belizean Mennonites are religiously identified as Mennonites, but have a drastically different cultural identity, which offers a peculiar challenge for the church to face within the coming years, as native Belizeans are converted to the Mennonite faith. The church will have to navigate the tension of conflicting cultural interests between the ethnic and converted Mennonites and somehow mediate this effectively to remain faithful to its Mennonite heritage.

The following was taken from a News5 Article covering the celebration of the colony's 50th anniversary in 2008, and compares somewhat how the community is today compared to when it was first founded, as well as mentioning some of what the future might hold for this community:[2]

Stewart Krohn
“Do you get the feeling that your generation was a little bit spoiled, that you didn’t have to do those things growing up?”
Victor Dyck, Blue Creek Resident
“Oh yeah, I mean well if you look at it now how we have it compared to what they had it back fifty years ago when they came here, I would say in a way we’re spoiled and in a way we’re very blessed as well.”
Stewart Krohn
“The first fifty years in this country have been good to the Mennonites of Blue Creek and from the looks of things the next fifty should be just as successful [economically].”

Mennonite Identity

Little can be found in the literature regarding specific theological commitments Mennonites in Belize (and in Blue creek in specific) still have and share in common with the Global Anabaptist Church. Some commitments that can be inferred from descriptions of these groups is a continuing commitment to isolation from the world. Blue Creek was originally chosen because of its relative isolation from the larger country, in hopes that this isolation would promote and help keep this devotion to the Mennonite heritage. Despite the change in churches from the original Old Colony Mennonites to Kleine Gemeinde and EMMC today, the physical isolation of the Blue Creek community in northwest Belize still serves as a symbol of Mennonite isolation from the worldly community. However, with increased technological adaptation in the community and in general, this isolation is becoming much less pronounced than it was in 1958, when access to the community was very difficult.

A second commitment these Mennonites hold is that of the community of believers, and Blue Creek still exists primarily as a community within the larger Belizean society. Group solidarity remains important to Blue Creek members and the group still holds priority over the larger community.

The following was taken from a News5 Article covering the celebration of the colony's 50th anniversary in 2008:[2]

Stewart Krohn:
“Having been born here yet being a Mennonite, do you feel more Belizean or more Mennonite? What is your identity?”
Abe Froese, Mayor, Blue Creek:
“Belizean. I’m a Mennonite but I don’t think we should pull back from being a Belizean. Our commitment should be to Belize from early. It’s our responsibility to help build the nation of Belize. Yes, I am a Belizean. Our parents, they have always worked hard. I think that’s the starting point but from there we’ve had good—we’ve had a lot of help from the government. They helped us really when we needed help. Our ministers have supported us.”

Relation to Outside World and Colony Dynamics[1]

The Blue Creek Mennonites stay in constant contact with the world outside their community for business and private matters. The main place of interaction between Blue Creek Mennonites and local people is at shops and markets in town. This is the main place of interaction because this is where the Blue Creek Mennonites go to sell their products or buy products not offered within their community. The relative economic success Blue Creek has developed and maintained, in relation to the other Mennonite colonies, makes it one of the colonies with the most interaction with Belizean society.

Because of business interactions with the larger society, an Anabaptist theological commitment of isolation from the world is more loosely followed than other Mennonite colonies in Belize, as these business and economic exchanges and interactions make isolation tough. However, Blue Creek is still isolated, and the degree to which they interact with the larger society is often limited to the economic and business spheres, as the Kleine Gemeinde church has its own school system, clinic and shops. The Blue Creek colony in general has its own bank system as well and their own set of rules and regulations that keep them segregated from the larger society.

To outsiders of the Blue Creek community, distinctions are made only by religion and life style, which is to say that, to outsiders, the distinction between the EMMC church and the Kleine Gemeinde church is hard to make. However, within the community, these distinctions are clear. While the separate churches do interact, as is expected if both live within the same community, there do exist distinctions aside from clothing and language spoken. This distinction is evident in the entrepeneural activities of the two churches. For example, Carribean Chicken originates from a Kleine Gemeinde background and employs mostly Kleine Gemeinde members, whereas Circle R., a rice mill company, comes from an EMMC background and employs mostly EMMC members.

Relevant links and Suggestions for Further Reading

Roessingh, Plassil

This book provides an excellent summary and overview of Mennonite colonies within Belize, with an in-depth chapter on several colonies. It provides history, current and past issues, an economic overview, and the general context within which the Anabaptist story is unfolding within Belize.

Roessingh, C. H., Plasil, T., & Visser, P. (2009). Between horse & buggy and four-wheel drive: Change and diversity among Mennonite settlements in Belize, Central America. Amsterdam: VU University Press.

Sawatzky

This book, published in 1971, provides a detailed look at economic issues the early Mennonite settlers of British Honduras faced, as well as other issues. Good source for information on the foundation of Mennonite colonies in British Honduras.

Sawatzky, H. L. (1971). They sought a country: Mennonite colonization in Mexico. With an appendix on Mennonite colonization in British Honduras. Berkeley: University of California.

Pioneer Years in Belize

This book gives a variety of first-hand accounts and reflections on initial Mennonite settlement in British Honduras by the very settlers. Most of the information is provided through story-telling and reflection of actual events. Also included are some short stories.

Koop, G. S. (1991). Pioneer years in Belize. Belize City, Belize, C.A: G.S. Koop

Blue Creek Mennonites celebrate 50 years in belize (News Article 2008)

http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/5358

Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (GAMEO)

GAMEO entries on EMMC, Kleine Gemeinde & Blue Creek

Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC) - http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/E9365ME.html

Kleine Gemeinde - http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/K5446.html/?searchterm=kleine%20gemeinde

Blue Creek - http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/B577.html

Citations

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Roessingh, C. H., Plasil, T., & Visser, P. (2009). Between horse & buggy and four-wheel drive: Change and diversity among Mennonite settlements in Belize, Central America. Amsterdam: VU University Press.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/5358
  3. Haniewicz, J. (1991). A Mennonite story. London, England: J. Haniewicz.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Koop, G. S. (1991). Pioneer years in Belize. Belize City, Belize, C.A: G.S. Koop.