Meet the Mennonites: Inside the Ultra-Conservative Community | ENDEVR Documentary
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- Опубликовано: 26 окт 2021
- Meet the Mennonites: Inside the Ultra-Conservative Community | Investigative Documentary
Watch 'The Last Free Place in America: Slab City' here: • The Last Free Place in...
Like the Amish, the ultra-conservative Christian community of the Mennonites rejects modern society and lives a life frozen in the 19th century. Nearly all Mennonites live in self-sufficient colonies, embracing isolation, which helps protect them from the temptations of the modern world. Now, for the first time, one of these communities has agreed to open their doors to our cameras.
At first sight, time seems to have stopped in the colony of Little Belize, in South America. People travel around on horse-drawn carriages and still speak Plattdeutsch, an old German dialect. But even here, signs of the outside world are creeping in. Wilhelm, the community’s former doctor, was recently expelled for owning a mobile phone. Fearing their community is being tainted, some traditional members, like Abram and his family, have decided to create a new colony, even more isolated, in the jungle of Peru, where they can remain true to their original doctrine.
We follow them on their exodus and take an unprecedented look at the world of the Mennonites.
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Mennonite: Smuggles smart phone into his house
Also Mennonite: Watches nothing but farming videos on youtube
That’s the very definition of wholesome. He doesn’t want to watch porn or sexy girls… just wants to learn more about farming.
@@missoreofreak yeah sure tell yourself that. When he's alone he's just another man for sure 😂. Nothing wrong with it anyways but do you guys expect him to say to the camera, when I'm alone if my family is asleep I watch pornub or any other worldly things. No he pretends to be so good he only watches farming videos
@@stephjovi Quite a nihilistic approach, but sure whatever he watches is between him and the man upstairs (and by man upstairs, I mean the CEO of his cell carrier)
@@LunaDelTuna im not sure how wanting to explore a natural urge is nihilistic, but ok
He’s controlling what he watches. He’s watching what is useful in his life. I can respect that.
I was raised Mennonite in Germany and left the faith, meaning I had to leave everything behind. Thus, from the day I left, I had to leave my family behind…one gets excommunicated. It was hard to start a new life all by myself-I immigrated to Canada, ; I had to educate myself-since I had a limited educational background -and not to mention in a foreign language; I became a teacher. But I still feel very vulnerable to the world when I look around and people having families-Aunts, Onkels, Grandparents and more-it’s all so foreign to me now. I still feel an emptiness within me after all these years; it’s like someone took 1/2 of me..the pain is very very deep and does not go away no matter what comes my way, I guess that’s the price I had to pay; Would I do it again? Yes; because I had no choice but to stay true to myself.
Aslong as u always have The Most High thts all tht matters the road to Him we must travel alone God bless you 🙏❤️🏴
Have you given up on God?
Have you visited the community you had lately? Or do you still have any plan visiting them?
@@inkspiringlyrics7574 Once you leave, you’re never excepted back in unless you confess and stay. Their did not even tell me when my mom and dad died; I found it out from a cousin of mine who also had left the faith.
@@amyexner why did u leave if u dont mind me asking?
You can see how much Franz loves his family, they genuinely love him too. There is just a happiness in their faces, unlike some of the other families eg. the one at dinner. Even the mans wife had such an unhappy constant facial expression. I hope Franz and his family are doing very well.
I think Franz is the coolest dad in the community.
I agree with you 💯%
maybe she feels uneasy with the cameras and all? it was my first tought tbh. but maybe its just an unhappy marriage.
12:57 yeah, you’re not kidding… just look at his daughters right there, especially the middle one. And then his wife at 12:58.. Jesus, she looks utterly resigned to this miserable life. Ruled over, giving birth over and over until she’s no longer able… sigh.
My mom is from a colony in Mexico. Her parents came to Canada when she was 12. She had never seen her reflection before so when she saw a mirror it scared her. My dad came from a colony in Paraguay. He was excommunicated because he wanted to marry a spanish girl so he came to Canada. They still live by the mennonite faith (as do I) but we are all a very modern version. Great documentary!
Can't you see your reflection in water?
I have such great admiration for Wilhelm, the doctor who risked everything and paid the price, because he thought having a phone would save lives. I wish him the best with his new community.
to lose everything to help your community.. my heart breaks for him.
Bless him
Monsters. I hope those poor children get rescued.
Wilhelm had the courage of his conviction. And others who believed as he did. I liked the father who took his kids for outside experiences like an outing to look at stores and eat ice cream. Or let them listen to and sing music. He realized there was another way to live.
Wilhelm is a fool.
It was a Mennonite shelter that took in my grandmother and a few of her siblings in the 30's when her mother could no longer feed them. As far as I can tell, they treated the kids well. My grandmother talked about how that was the only period of her childhood where she had enough to eat and felt safe. I so wish I could find the family!
Hearing that they took great care of your grandma is amazing😍I am also mennonite
Wow. I’d never heard about this!
@@nancydyck6181 So, if you are Mennonite, isn't it nice to be able to tap into the technology that allows you to see this video. I respect your religious orientation but I do not believe that Jesus Christ mandated that austere style of living. I do not advocate the consumption of alcohol, but a total ban on alcohol is ridiculous since Jesus Christ turned water into wine to serve at the wedding in Cana.
@@DwilsonDA Yes it is nice
@@DwilsonDA I guess that people should limit the amount if alcohol they drink because lots if harm can be done and even though they drank wine we are supposed to keep our body's clean like the temple of Jesus
I wish we could see a part 2/update on their new community.
Good for them for chasing their dreams and not letting fear stop them.
It is called Meet the Mennonites in Peru
@@Laurashka thank you!
My heart goes out to the Grandma, and Grandpa and family who said good bye to the loved ones, not knowing if they wound see each other again. Anyone reading this, please give the Grandma a hug for me or for sure a hand shake and kind words. ❤️
I wish she was my Grandma and I could go visit her often!
If you can't hug granny, how are we supposed to?
Right Msgoose
Weird request.
I have several Mennonite families living next door to my place, they are quiet people and very friendly. I give them goat milk soap I make in exchange if I need help with their machinary. I have great respect for them.
But I guess they are not Old Older Mennonites like here. And this one are probably pretty conservativ.
That's so cool. Thanks for sharing. This is so interesting to me.😊
Awesome! Bartering is going to become more & more common !
@@michele-33 since when did it not become common. People do it all the time. As long as you're trading something for something in return, it shouldn't be a problem....no?!
@@michele-33 oh ok...that sucks. These things should be discussed so that we(humans in general) can get a better understanding, different outlook, etc on such topics. This topic isn't that sensitive to where they have to delete comments.
I’m so touched with the father risking everything for his children to experience and enjoy life.
the children still live in a cult, but yes its good he understands that theres an outside world that he wants to share with his world
@00 00 is it really that much of a cult they live like most German immigrants lived in America up until the 20th century lol
It’s amazing, huh?!
@@casuallystalled What the NWO covid cult. Now many of us are trying to cut ties with the outside world.
They weren't enjoying life before?
I was a truck driver about 13 years ago and used to make quick turnaround trips, 400 mile round trips daily to haul pre fabricated wooden sheds for a company who sold them on a lot. The people who built the sheds were Mennonite people. They worked around the clock. It was a huge operation with an entire colony working together. They had a mill, indoor assembly line, and acres to put finished sheds on. Some of them had simple flip phones for business only. They had cookies, snacks, and soda hidden everywhere. They didn't say much. Nice people.
they can eat cookies i think . but have to be homemade perhaps. Baking is an age - old art and always part of homemaking.
They sound worse than the Taliban.
Abraham’s enthusiasm, positive attitude and energy is amazing in a lifestyle that so many of us would find inhibiting 💚I’m glad that the doctor and others have found a way to continue their relationship with their faith while including some modern tools. Franz seems like such a great Dad - sharing a bit of the outside world with his children and having his daughter assist him in “Male Work”.
May all these folks continue to live the life that fulfills them 💚
Did you tealize that he is 43 and looks 63. He is stubborn and indoctrinated by old irrelevant bible rules.
Moving to a desolate area away from people to a land rich in soil, I wonder if these Mennonites know something the rest of us should know
if am honesT ive no ideawhaT you speak of
well, his sons are little kids, right? Farm girls always had to work hard, often TOO hard, if there weren't sons old enough. Even today.
Amen
I like Franz and I feel sorry for him. It’s clear he wants his children to know about the world and he’s curious too. But he wants to be faithful to his religion as well. Hard situation.
The only thing hard is the ostracism he'll get if he leaves the cult. Instead of leaving and freeing his family, he stays and oppresses them like he was oppressed. Do I feel sorry for him? Not much. I feel sorry for those girls who want to work, use phones, sing, and travel to new places. That's who I feel sorry for.
It's a cult. The state should not allow cults to bring up children, education should not be left in the hands of the parents. Every child has the right for real education.
@@kyra_from_kerkyra can you build anything that's not from ikea or can you grow your own food, and speak several languages? Because they seem to able to with their limited schooling. Can you even say you have the courage to venture out into new land and start from scratch? Let people live their lives how they see fit as long as they aren't harming themselves or others. And lack of cellphones and tv isn't harm by the way.
@@whosthatgirl411 Throw them into the real world and all those building skills are worthless. They won’t know how to function. They make it almost impossible to leave and make it on your own. It’s intentional and abusive. If you think they aren’t hurting people in their own community you are naive.
@@whosthatgirl411 You do have a point 🤔
I remember recovering from a major surgery and was told to walk laps around the hospital three times a day. I walked out my door and there was seriously 50 Amish people standing in line to see a patient. It caught me so off guard. I made friends with the patient after they all left and the following day, his family brought be homemade bread, butter, and jam in a little basket, which was downright amazing. The following year I was working at an air show and saw them all again! I didn't even know there was amish in Michigan.
Reminds me when I saw a ghost watching us at a July fourth parade. It was just a kind Amish man watching from the window. XD
Funny how we don’t notice things until we do
@@australiamyway Just like when you lose something, it's always in the last place you look. ☺️
Oh wow. Im in Michigan. Where did you grow up to not realize we had amish?
I grew up in Detroit. There is a lot of Amish in Michigan lol. There is an auction ran by Amish in Hillsdale, I went there once as a kid and was in total shock
this was so interesting. I clicked on this thinking I was going to watch a documentary about the mennonites in Pennsylvania. I didn't realize it was going to be about Belize and Peru. I really hope that there will be more content about their new community. I am also so amazed that with as little schooling as they had and as little media that they were allowed to consume that some of them also spoke English and Spanish so well! That is so impressive and really just shows I need to get off my comfy American butt and finally commit to learning Spanish.
Exactly! I'm in AZ with the Mexican border about 50 miles away. I am studying books, listening to CDs and trying to learn Spanish on my own. Communication is the key to the beginning of any personal otr business relational. I want everyone to do well. Fascinating documentary!
The attention to detail in this video was impressive, it showed the dedication of the creators
The fact that we get free documentaries on RUclips by ENDEVR is truly a gift 👍👍👍
I agree
Documentaries should always be free
@@Ethan-qx6jm Who should pay the makers, the staff?
@@demo2823 governments wanting to educate their citizens
@@demo2823 The syndicators that they sell 'em to
Their language is so fascinating. I am German and it was so difficult for me to understand their dialect. It sounds a lot closer to Dutch or even Afrikaans than it does to Standard High German and the "modern" dialects we have here in Germany.
Latin American German, I guess lol. It's like when someone from España who is use to their castellano can't understand certain Latin American countries Español.
Dutch person here, I can assure you there was not one Dutch word spoken . To me it sounded like a weird German dialect. 😂
@@marijewerkman8172 NL hier lol ik hoor paar NL worden
Dialects evolve so fast, especially if the community is isolated from their mother land. As an Arab, I find it so hard to understand Arabic dialect from north Western Africa. They even have their own vocabularies that we never hear of or use.
I am South African and I couldn’t hear any similarities to Afrikaans…
Considering what the “outside world “ has become, I don’t blame them.
These communities are far from perfect themselves.
I grew up in a very small, conservative town in central Illinois. We all lived lives very different from this, but our church was an "evangelical" mennonite church. It's making me sick to my stomach realizing that all the religious trauma I endured was just the same as this Handmaid's Tale esque type of cult--just repackaged with poppy "worship" songs. I thought I grew up normal.
Thank you for sharing this Alexandria. I hope you are doing well and i’m sorry you had to go through that trauma. Wishing you the best.
I taught in a regular Canadian public school a few years ago where some of my students were "Mexican Mennonites". Their families would farm in Canada in the summer and migrate to Mexico in the winter to farm in a warmer climate. The kids wore traditional, homemade clothing and spoke a form of German. They had to learn English at school. These were among the happiest, most respectful and most well-behaved children I have ever taught. I have great respect for their family values and hard-working lifestyle.
Behave or be banished 😶
Interesting that they were traveling back and forth, for 2 growing seasons.
@@pamelaparker2352 I know. Especially across an entire continent. I wonder how they afforded it.
Why'd they have to learn English at a Mexican school?
@@brandikuncher3229 they learned it in canada (canadian school) the menonites were mexican
My husband is Mennonite (not practicing) and his mom and dad grew up this way! We currently live in Belize, about 30 minutes away from a big Mennonite colony called Ship Yard. We buy our butter from them, and hire them to build tables, chairs, doors...etc. Some are very strict, and others are more lenient about using electricity.
I bet the carpentry work is lovely. Not many learn traditional hand techniques these days.
Mennonites built our porch. They weren't allowed to have power tools, but they DID know how to use ours that we happily shared. They did an amazing job.
Wonderful, what Wilhelm did! I wish him and his community all the best! Take the good from both worlds and be happy 🍀
This seems so different than our Canadian colonies... They use cell phones, emails, they have cars as well etc they actually all seem like great people here. My grandma is friends with quite a few of them, they used to come camping in the park she managed and you'd see 3 trailers fitting into the campsites like little court yards etc it was great
Imaging having nearly zero contact with technology...and then your first flight is a 24 hour flight!! That is quite a big thing even for us, wo live in this "modern" world.
I like that Abraham and his group are all so friendly, even with strangers who approach them and ask questions.
He is a smart and brave guy im stunned
50 people with luggage flying over countries doing transit's exchanging money settling in remote areas
Thats nuts
I had a teacher in high school who was one of many children born to a Mennonite family. She and a few of her siblings left for the city and they couldn't return. It was very emotional, I don't my teacher ever really recovered from being 'excommunicated'. She was very different, quiet and reserved. Our class was like being in the 1800s! It was like a walk back in time every morning my freshman and sophomore year (she taught two different English classes). She was a very good teacher, polite, and just all around different. This documentary kind of reminds me of my teacher. I see the influence on how she was in school.
😥😥😥
In the comments up top there is a woman who says she’s a teacher and left the Amish. Makes me wonder if it could be the same one.
@@reflectionsinthebible3579 I don't think she's from the same town I grew up in. But that would be cool!
There is no such thing as cannot return. Upon repentance any excommunicated member will be accepted back into the Church.
@@reflectionsinthebible3579
no
idea
which
extreme
religious
group ThaT
= ... ... we never were in
The “Short” was in my algorithm feed, and somehow or another here I am finishing watching full 50 minute video.
Fascinating.
watched this so many times at this point. Thanks for making it, thanks to the community for sharing too
48.12
I served with the British Army in Belize in the 80’s. We used to visit the Mennonite community every month, our surgical team would carry out various procedures. Fascinating people, I was always amazed by the skill some kids used to show when on horseback. I envy their lives in some respects
Im from belize thanks for your service
I doubt this happened. It said in the documentary that outsiders are never let in. For them to let you do operations on them when they have their own Doctor would be against their religion.
@@user-pq6mr6op3p that is mostly true with the old colony, and as you can see from the documentary, they let people in. How would they have their own doctors? And if the did, I imagine they would have limited abilities. Also, every colony is different. Some drive cars and have electricity, some are old fashioned.
@@kendramartinez5396 No the doctor got shuned from the community for using his phone to look up illnesses and cures but you was allowed in with a surgical team?
@@user-pq6mr6op3p They let the documentary people in. The Mennonite community I lived near was very friendly to everyone. They didn't know me when I first moved there and offered assistance and even loaned me equipment. They do use doctors outside their communities as needed.
Love the unity and the simplicity of life.. yet the lack of free will and the absence of music would make me rip up my membership card. Not judging, that's just me.
I have installed satellite dishes for Mennonites, and because of that I know they all don't live like this.
Depends on the order. There's such a thing as progressive Mennonites who are as progressive as anyone possibly can be, and then there's orders where they can't have music or machinery of any kind. It depends on what the bishops say.
However, I completely agree about music, especially since music is biblical and all of the psalms are meant to be sung, so I'm not sure why they couldn't at least have that.
Please, judge away. There's nothing wrong with pointing out evil.
@@hybridamerica How is it evil?
@@libconservative3481 Compulsive slavery is always evil.
A fascinating documentary. Abraham's adventure into the unknown to build a new home for his family in Peru was very enlightening. His excitement was all apparent from the organisation of the trip, getting all their possessions together to take with them. The me most important being their farm machinery to build their new home. The journey long and tiring, but Abraham's smile was never far away. I hope they have got their home built now and they are growing and selling their produce to keep their large family. After that long adventure they deserve all the happiness life has to offer them.
Franz is a pretty good father. He can't deny his natural instincts to care, love, and provide for his children.
He really is. A family centred man who clearly enjoys making his children happy.
I live in Belize and I know Franz. He was excommunicated because of this documentary. Also, the group that went to Peru has suffered terrible hardships. Many of them have returned to Belize.
That does not surprise me. I just made this comment: I respect their desire to be as far away from "modernity" as they can get. But, I have to be at least an hour's drive from the nearest dentist, doctor, and hospital. They will have regret when dental and medical emergencies arise. Ones that need immediate attention.
Thanks for the update.
@@moonmonk6418 Reminds be of a native African community in Africa. One young girl had to walk for days while pregnant. She was close to labor. Many girls had fissures from being in labor for days. Due to nutritional deficiencies, they were small for their ages. This made giving birth very difficult. Anyway, once a fissure developed, excrement or urine can leak indiscriminately. This creates a smell... The girls ended up shunned by their African communities. Doctors without Borders, and such, went over to repair the fissures when possible. One girl elected to stay at the hospital to become a nurse. Her older husband had abandoned her after her health problems. She had been living in a grass hut she built.
thx for update - sounded like a mad idea from the outset
I think that his excommunication is the best what happened to him and his family.
I'm 42 and nearly fell out of my chair when I heard Abram's age. How does a 43 year old look so old?!
Farming and all of stuff
A hard life
They probably don't have suncream, yet they are working outdoors all day. And these are pale skinned people of German heritage, not caramel skinned Belizians. Even the kids look like they're on their way to skin cancer.
Hard life.
Hard work in the sun
The mennonites are pretty awesome. I recall visiting one of their communites when I was a kid, and they had the coolest playground with a giant slide that I remember playing on. Anyways, we were there to pick up furniture (a bunk bed). That bed literally lasted 15 years of moving around before we ended up selling it. Considering how temporary most things appear nowadays, there's something to be said about a culture that consistently produces quality that they're known for.
In chihuahua Mexico, there playgrounds are famous and everyone wants one
Wow - I was so amazed and impressed with this documentary - it was very educational to see more about the Mennonites than I already knew and to follow them on their paths (both those who stayed and those who made that journey to a new country). Thank you for this inside view.
"I only know Selena Gomez, Enrique Iglesias, and Akon"
LOL 🤣 what a selection
Yeah, so sad she can't listen to Cardi B and Nikki Menage. She's really missing out.
For everyone saying they can leave: imagine living in a closed community, not knowing much about the outside world, being aware that if you leave, you must leave your family behind...that's not free will, bet many of them haven't left because they love their parents and sibilings and are scared of the outside world
every culture in the world works like this, you can't escape the society you are in, the modern globalized world is not different, it's just the "mainstream" society
@@carmofantasmapiu5575 not true, in any moderna country you know a lot about other countries they have bearly any idea of what is out there
@@user-ih3jl9um6e Non è mai possibile avere una prospettiva veramente universale che incorpora ogni altra società e in ogni caso si rimane sempre nei confini dello stesso mondo moderno. Inoltre i mennoniti conoscono bene il mondo che c'è fuori (commerciano con gli altri e intrattengono relazioni con lo stato e la società in generale). Quelli che si allontanano dalla comunità molto spesso (oltre 90% dei casi) ritornano perché fa parte di chi sono, anche quelli "ribelli" nel documentario rimangono attaccati alla loro comunita
So sweet the father buys his kids gifts although he is not allowed. His children’s happiness is more important. Bless him
Makes for awesome watching.Very informative. May they do well in their chosen life.
We have large Mennonite communities where I live , and let me tell you - they are the kindest , most polite people I've ever met! God bless them
Me too, they love thrift stores and garage sales as much as I do :)
Ohio or Pennsylvania lol
@@leahflower9924 in Northern Indiana there are a lot of them as well
@@melcouth cool I wonder if the Mennonite guys are allowed to date women on the outside lol
I'm Cambodian and I love learning new things from other cultures.. this is awesome and interesting.. thank you uploader!!!
I am from Switzerland and it’s amazing,that I understand their German dialect,regarding that they haven’t lived here ,Austria or Germany for over 200 years
@@sandrineroesch8706 I know someone from southern Italy whose family left there in the 50's/60's. They communicate with the diaspora from their village here. When they went back and spoke in dialect they used archaic words eg. If someone spoke like a 60's hippie and confused the locals. It was very interesting.
This happens because when they left,time stood still for them and their language.
The Mennonites and Amish sound like drunk or sorry,disabled,when they speak German 😂😂
But they also mix a lot with Dutch expressions,one has to concentrate a lot to understand them .
I think that several Swiss communities have apologized for having sent their families away centuries ago.
They did in times of Reformation of the evangelical church.they were dismissed due to their strict beliefs .
It’s sad to see that they do the exact same thing to their members,just the other way around.
Those who want progress are excommunicated.
@@sandrineroesch8706 Humans suck - no matter the country! We have a tendency to herd mentality and bullying.
@@sandrineroesch8706 Hi Sandrine, findest du nicht, dass da viel Dialekte Gemischt sind? Höre da auch viel friesisch und holländisch raus
Wow. This was interesting. I would be interested in seeing and updates on the families that made the journey to Peru after being there a year.
Loved this documentary. Will there be part 2. Abram is such a great leader. Very positive. 🌿
We have a community of Mennonites in my town. They own a well established restaurant that is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They have a bakery and make delicious desserts and breads. They own a woodwork shop, and the men are engaged in a number of other vocations. They interact with people of our community and are well respected.
Where is your community?
@@SisterShirley North Alabama
@@sassygrammy1258 explains allot. LOL
I live in north Georgia and my great aunt frequents a Mennonite market and wants my mom and I to go with her, but they push their conservative dress code upon visitors which as a feminist I’m morally opposed to. My mom and I both don’t want to give them any money though I know their food would taste great
Same goes for here in Waterloo Ontario 🇨🇦… we love them and are very protective of anyone who tries to exploit them. They will bend over backwards to help a selfish world. I feel very fortunate to have grown up with the Amish a my neighbours.
my grandmother was raised as a Mennonite in Germany she left with her sister and brother. She left the faith but raised her kids with many of the beliefs. My mom raised me similar as well. Its not easy to escape a growing world
Just sort of a general spirituality I'm guguessing. That's really interesting.
Reminds me off how my friend was brought up lds Mormon and left but he has raised his kids with some of the kds beliefs and is also close friends with members of the church.. he was there when I came back off my lds mission to welcome me home even though he had left the faith
Weirdos
Where did your family end up now? As someone from Germany I am always interested in where Germans went as they emmigrated away. Definitely an interesting family background!
I would love to see an update on the community now!
Thanks for sharing like wow! It’s an eye opener to learn this kind of community in America.
A lot of Mennonites where I live and in my state, they're always pretty out going people and very friendly they also have great businesses. Never have any of them ever pushed their beliefs on anyone, that I've witnessed personally. They Just want to live how they want and I can respect that.
Exactly but the media likes to make them look like slaves to this lifestyle.
I've seen them in Pennsylvania I wonder if they like country music lol
Good to know that they don't push their beliefs on anyone. I was under the impression that the children have no choice, but if they do then that's great!
I live in Iowa. Many of the Mennonite here are not this strict. They will drive cars. Usually a van that is used by communities to get to a local hospital if needed.
I am a Mennonite and yea there's lots of Mennonites that like country, even rap and rock. And yea were I live we all drive cars and go to schools. But yea at home we all speak low German at home and go to our own low German church
You could easily make this a series. Documenting the progress of these families. Most of us have no idea how difficult it was to concur the land and build incredible infrastructure
Can you join the Mennonites if you're not a Mennonites
I came here looking for a follow up, I would love to see how they are getting along in the Amazon
@@margiemontgomery285 I suppose that depends on teachings
Probably the new community will ban the photographs or the videos. They came to a new place to ran away from technology. This may have been the only exception. The only problem is that the children have already experienced something. As they grow, some would want to experience it better and they will probably leave the colony.
They should leave them alone ,their lives should not be disrupted for our entertainment .
Wow, very interesting! I am from Lancaster PA which is home to many, many Amish and Mennonites. I had NO idea there was community like this living in Belize.
Really great documentary. The second part is needed...
Franz and his fam seems pretty chill and you can see that they both really care and love their children so far that they even go against the community rules. Awesome. :) hope they are good.
As a Mexican, we see a lot of Mennonites around, the kids are sent off to sell cheese and other dairy products so they interact with us outsiders, they usually just smile and point at the things, that by the way, are so freaking delicious.
It’s always funny to me how as a child I couldn’t understand them when they talked, my parents told me they lived far away and that they were Mexican like me in a way, but at the same time they are so different from us.
I think it is neat.
Donde vives? Chihuahua?
Si existen en mexico, verdad? Es que me acuerdo verlos cuando era pequeño pero no me acuerdo si fue aquí
En Durango hay comunidades de Menonitas. Hacen unos quesos deliciosos.
This is a cult and evil
The ones in Mexico usually lives half the year in Alberta, half the year in Mexico.
Thank you for this wonderful documentary, I hope Abraham and his family, others are living their life what they wanted.. God bless them
God Bless You, thanks for sharing your personal lives.
It just seems so different that a mobile phone is sinful and can get someone excomunicated but flying on a plane is fine
Modern travel and even phones are permitted if it is purely to advance the business and family needs of the community. But only for those reasons. They cannot be used for entertainment, leisure or educational purposes.
Modern Phones can corrupt the mind (social media etc) , planes can’t
Planes kill, don’t fly unless someone puts a gun to your head. As far as the original commenter (up top) all I can say is that they’re hypocrites choosing as they go what they can or cannot do. I bet the elders drink at home late at night, even a glass of wine is forbidden according to their Bible.
I sometimes work with Hutterites, who are culturally similar to colony Mennonites. In Alberta, Hutterite colonies have vast amounts of land and run surprisingly extensive and modern farming operations. A guy has to plow his land somehow, and a $500,000 GPS-equipped smart plow is still just a plow, right? (Women wearing pants, though? Blasphemy!)
@@lauriepenner350 there’s literally no contradiction in this. One is to ensure the family and community survives through agriculture and one (from the religious perspective) is to ensure modesty and protect the women male eroticism. So What’s your point exactly?
This was well done and eye opening. Thank you to the Mennonites for sharing your lives with us.
I agree with everyone else I would love to see a follow up to see how they are getting along in the rain Forrest.
I hope they are doing well!
Imagine if you will: The entire world full of Mennonites living in harmony off the land. That may be heaven on earth. No wars, no murders, no gambling, etc.
@@alvaroakatico9188 just destroying the rain forest with massive deforestation since their arrival.
@@harperr2180 what do you think other communities are doing!? Aren’t they doing the same but in larger numbers??
I'd like them to leave the amazon alone and not spread their lunacy and oppression to unsuspecting locals.
Its a Facade for the Cameras. Watch "Return to Amish" with RoseAnn
I have known several mennonite families. They are good people but so rigid i often wondered where or even if they found any joy in life. I was always grateful for their friendship but just a little sad for them. The expression on the face of the mayors wife is one i saw often.
I cant have enough of these cinematic footages 😍
My parents came out of the old colony Mennonite life and came to understand the grace of God that comes by faith in Jesus the Christ to be saved, not by works. I know all about this lifestyle. My parents were born and grew up in Mexico, where next year will be 100 years since the first Mennonite settlers migrated from Canada to Mexico. I still speak plautdietsch which is my first language.
why did you leave if it was so wonderful? I cannot understand this life or these choices. I cannot understand wanting to restrict and limit your children and thinking that will keep them safe. Believing that knowledge is dangerous is dangerous.
I'm just praying you didn't marry your sister! This "documentary", is actually a genetic defect study...Oof!
@@thunderousapplause #1. They have no choice but to leave, because the selection of suitable mates become more, and more related...Same problem the Amish in the USA are having; Inbreeding. Notice how all of the children look exactly alike...? In fact, pretty much everyone there has the same features. They are all directly related to each other...
@@brentfarvors192 praying lol
@@brentfarvors192 they are all German just like Chinese people all look alike but they don't inbred 🤦♂️
I’m amazed by all the languages they know! I would love to see an update on all these families.
Not many comments here on their language skills. I was quite impressed with the head of the family’s ability to speak English (sorry, forgot his name). When I saw him speaking Spanish I was astonished. How can they learn all these languages if they don’t go anywhere or have access to media? So clever.
Yeah that was amazing, how fluent they are. I think they learn it the best way possible, by practice with the native speakers. and through necessity.
Me too!
They know Spanish better than whoever did the subtitles... The father said "repollo" (cabbage) and the subtitles said "chicken"
@@Sarah_Eva I don't soeak Spanish, but was puzzled that he mentioned growing chickens, in amongst all the vegetables 😆 Thank you for clarifying.
Is there a follow up documentary on this? I would love to see how they are living in Peru. Top Tier Content.
Before I even go far with it,,woww , this is so amazing 👏 what a doccie ,, This is just pure beauty of a life ❤️
I live in a town with a lot of menanites. Some of the women work at the local kitchen and thrift store and they're so kind. They all drive and a group of the kids get together every week to play volleyball. Grateful to be in a community with them.
The girls even have dolls that are dressed like them so adorable
These are old order mennonites more like the Amish than the more relaxed modern mennonites in America now
I grew up with them and agree that they are kind people
...were is that ? USA ?
@@maxmiller4990 Most likely I see a lot of Mennonites in the U.S. The mennonites here aren’t as strict as the Amish. There was a Mennonite bakery I frequented as a little girl it was my favorite.
Abraham’s optimism and cheerfulness is on another level
Its a Facade for the Cameras. Watch "Return to Amish" with RoseAnn
Franz and his family need to be protected at all costs. Bless their heart 🥺
This is one of the most fascinating documentaries I've watched in a while! So interesting how the elders can speak 3 languages.. I never really knew that Mennonite populations existed outside of the U.S... fascinating.
My husband was raised Mennonite in Nebraska. His parents remained very traditional Mennonite. My husband and his siblings left the traditional church for other churches. His parents and other family that were still traditional Mennonite were wonderful, kind, caring, lovely people. There are quite a few types of Mennonites here from very conservative to very modern. They vary on the type of, if any, modern conveniences they use.
Out of interest,why did they leave?
Hi. I am Mennonite myself. I am wondering if your husbends parents are from the Ucrain families of 1875 imagrants?
@@triarb5790 lol, you are not interested you are a bigot.
the worst part is you believe you are right with your form of bigotry and assume its ok.
Let me guess..... you identify as progressive??
Your bigoted comments can been seen all over this comment section, so quit it with the micro aggression!
So what is the consistent doctrine?
This reminds me of my nephew when he was 2 1/2 we took him to walmart for the 1st time (C0vid). He was so excited to see all the apples, bananas and everything. It was epic.
So sad people actually subjected their innocent children to a television pandemic and refused to do independent research. I feel so sorry for the children and parents who are raised by mainstream media. No sarcasm, no offense, I pray for you all to open your eyes and hearts. Then look away from the screen and make an educated assessment for your family. You will see 0 persons were found dead or even sick outside of the hospitals. Not 1 death outside the hospital. Not 1. And Dr. KARRY MULLIS'THE NOBEL PRIZE WINNING DOCTOR, AND INVENTOR OF RHE PCR MACHINE, ALREADY TOLD THE WORLD ABOUT THE FRAUDULENT FAUCI, AND HOW HIS PCR MACHINE ISNT MEANT TO DETECT VIRUSES, BECAUSE "IF YOU TWEAK IT RIGHT,YOU CAN FIND ANYTHING IN ANYBODY". As many Doctors have voiced, Seeing children with masks on is a sign of how vulnerable an uninformed population is. There is no knowledge that is not power! God bless you all!
@@KeyserSozex did you get banned from facebook or something?
@@KeyserSozex You need to take your meds.
Shut down the internet. Clearly not a good thing for you.
Peace from Scandinavia.
@@Biface Did I strike a nerve or something? I know I stand by my decisions, meanwhile you gullible sheep, are constantly making up excuses and justifying every piece of truth out here!
@@KeyserSozex we're with you mate 👍 love from downunder 🇦🇺
It is human nature as a whole to take risk and explore the unknown. That adventure seems to be missing in us as a species nowadays. I cannot speak for other human beings and their collective genealogical lineage. But, It does my heart well to see the German tenacity in all the folks featured. None of these folks have ever stepped foot into Germany mind you. Yet they share a journey similar to that of their forefathers and mothers. Abraham and Wilhelm are both right in their journey and God Bless you, content creator, for sharing their stories collectively and without bias.
To think there’s a whole community living in the middle of the Amazon rainforest right now with 0 technology is wild.
It's interesting how different groups of Mennonites believe. I live in southern Indiana in the US. Here the Amish are the ones who live this strict lifestyle and the Mennonites are more liberal.
I lived in Pennsylvania for a while and it was quite like that there, too! I thought about that a lot throughout watching this 😂
So interesting!!
Some have switched and started adding things these are the originals
@@beautyan5309 How do you know which denomination is original. If it’s changing so much these days, imaging how much it’s been changed over time. Same with every religion.
We need a part 2 asap. Such a great story
No idea about how did they get a land in the middle of froest...
Yep, I am very interested in how far they have come with the settlement there in the forrest. With that incredible work ethic they must have build a whole village with buildings and everything already.
Amazon soil is some of thee least fertile in the world safe to say they aren’t doing so hot
We saw him take a handful of soil to see the score-what it will grow now and what needs to be done to amend the soil. The Amish, out of the same tradition as the Mennonites, use old techniques to address these issues. It works so well that the other farmers complain they are at a disadvantage in Pennsylvania. I think they will do fine. I would really like a followup video.
I came here looking for a follow up. I hope they are doing well. What on earth happens when you get seriously sick or injured?Farming can be dangerous and cutting all of those trees. So much hard work to do.
They are so sweet, I hope they understand the wildlife and the weather out there. It’s dangerous and difficult to survive in the Amazon. I wish nothing but the best for them, they live a simple and happy life ❤
These are horrible people they abuse horses and other animals
@@acgraphics1139 keeping horses and using them as working animals is abuse? If so I have some new for you about the history of the human race 😅
they are dumb, abusive, backwards and molest their children
I'm interested in seeing a follow up video to see their progress
I love Abrahm's positive attitude, it's contagious 😊
Good name. In the Bible, Abraham is the father of faith.
I agree but come on he is not 43.
The women look so sad. Notice no opinion was allowed to be given by them.
@@triarb5790 your comment is sad too.You don't know if that woman is sad.That's what you think.
The children are all so sweet; I hope they are happy and if they ever decide they are not, I wish them courage to leave. This lifestyle is very different but I see beauty in it, such a tight community, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that in my life, it’s very precious.
Nothing says community like women being expected to pop out 12 children without any form of medical support, with no voice and no choice.
@@triarb5790 Tons of women around the globe do it and guess what? They have very LOW suicide and over doses rates and low rates of cancer. Cool huh? Instead of pushing bigotry, maybe keep an open mind because we could learn from their unique *diverse* culture.
I am Mennonite and would like to share a few points of our Religious life and believes to the ones that want to listen and learn before making opinions solely on this short video alone. 1. We dont inner marry our cousines. It might have happend maybe in the past 500 years but not that I am aware of. 2. I am raised in the Old Colony Church Congregation and became a member only after I studied about many other Churches way of worship. I dont regret it one bit. Actually I respect all different congregations and wish them well and hope that they respect us as Old Colony. 3. We do pay taxes just like any one else in the Country, it dont matter in which Country. 4. Have a large family is not just the wifes burden, it ways in on the husbands aswell. The children I have is one of the greatest gifts from God. May God bless you the reader and help us get along together here on Earth as one big God's family. Amen.. In Jesus' name Amen.
@@triarb5790 some people actually view children as a blessing. And medical support is available to any community that has medical professionals. If you live where there are no medical professionals no one has medical support.
@@abefroese5812 I'd like to hear from Mennonite women what they really, truly think.
Danke für hochladen sehr interessant
I love Franz and how good of a father he tires to be
He's kind and sweet. They are all experiencing a natural God-given curiosity. I repeat: God-given.
@@libragirl4471 lol.
Me too.
It’s impressive how he is able to speak at least three languages well enough to get by, after only an eighth grade education taught in a single language.
He’s An amazing father
"hes taking a huge risk by showing it to us" referring to the guy with the cell phone. How is anyone going to catch him? "ya, I saw he had a cell phone while I was watching youtube" lol
I remember seeing this before, would love to know how they are all getting on now, in their new community
Would be great for a follow up. I am sure they will have their realization, not afraid of hard work.
Hope we get part II of this. I'm curious how they're adjusting to the new environment/place they live in.
In my hometown there is big Mennonite colony , they are hard workers, humble and very productive , we respect all of them 🇲🇽🇲🇽
That’s what you see on the outside inside it’s a dogs breath and full of pedophiles
I was a missionary in Bolivia. There were tons of Mennonites there. I always wanted to talk to them but I know excommunication is the way they handle communicating with the outside so I never tried to talk to them. That made me sad. I would have loved to have talked to them
When I clicked on this documentary, I did not imagine it would include a badass jungle adventure. Thanks.
Please show another video as they build…and the progress in a few years. Excellent! What a happy, hopeful man.
Just come here where they have new trucks and power tools. No taxes but all the goodies.
Not posting to cast judgment on them. Just to show a update that they are making a go of it and looks like they are doing ok. The whole journey would have made me give up.
@@twothreefour234 EXACTLY!!!!!
They took down about 3,000 acres of forest but didn’t have permission from the government.
I have never heard about the Mennonites before and it's been a pleasure hearing their story in such a unbiased way. Great documentary!
Yes..true..
"unbiased" LMAO
I enjoyed this story. Very fascinating. May God bless them all❤
Part 2 please!!!
I feel sad for couples in the Mennonite communities that have fertility issues because the beginning of the video said, "the more children you have, the closer you are to god." I wonder if they make people feel shame for not having any kids or not having many. I think communities like this can maintain their traditional beliefs while also recognizing that there are medical reasons for certain things.
When I heard that it broke my heart because I can't have children myself
This is my exact question! I wonder the same.
Thank you for your kindness. Some are starting to adopt here in Belize. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Yup the Mormon church is like that too. A woman’s worth comes from child rearing, and Gods whole purpose for you to be alive is to make Mormon babies.
@@bsunahin9596 that's really sad. And that is not God's character at all. That is the result of human men creating that rule to manipulate women. Also, what if a woman is married to a man with fertility issues, that's still her fault? 🤔
Franz and Wilhem seems like genuinely good men who are doing the best they can to ensure their families don't get left too far behind general society.
Yeah I agree. Two different men with different goals for their families, but they clearly want what’s best and strive to be good leaders.
Oops I meant Franz and Ibrahm
I grew up as an adopted child of Mennonite/Amish union. It was traumatic. I have empathy for these children being indoctrinated.
It is very sad and abusive
unlike kids in the US who are told they can change their sex in school at to medically castrate themselves
You don't know what you're talking about and are talking with hatred in your heart
What an amazing documentary!!
Had a coworker who was a former Mennonite. She spoke of strong rules regulations and morals. She also spoke of how it just so controlling and power. They will simply dump family forever once the power is challenged. They would claim religion is key and they will not be questioned period. She did say the community was shrinking and kids are leaving so they can actually have lives. Many still practice the Bible and traditions after they leave but family excommunicated them permanently.
That's sad 😢
Are you american, canadian or belizean ?
some communities are like that, but us who are more open minded have a heart for them and slowly working with them ❤️
It depends on the family tho. For example, I'm Mennonite and my parents don't care if I leave. We're capable of individuality yknow
@@oompaloompa6221 do you live in Pennsylvania? I’m in Harrisburg and we have tons of Amish 40min drive away in Lancaster, some Mennonite too!
I really enjoyed this documentary. Just to see life from a different perspective was so enriching. I admire their strength, self sufficiency and sense of oneness and sense of community. The children are so happy and innocent. I wish there can be a part 2 documentary.
Open Up Your Eyes!! This is a Male Dominated CULT that Brainwashes Their Women and Children with Fear and Oppression. They Live by Their Own Biblical Interpretation and Not Gods Word. They are a Sleezy Sinning Bunch just like the Amish, Quakers and those Hutterites. Your Mind is So Closed to Reality!!
The children look happy because that's most likely what the editors thought best to include. The fact is that communities like these are rife with child abuse and violence against children. They're taught obedience rather than personal freedom and openness.
Happy? Watch the dinner scene at 12:30 and pay attention to how happy the family in the background look.
@@sususegar yes, watch the best possible footage hand chosen by editors of hours and hours of footage of a closed off community.
@@gailcurl8663 wow !! Here we go again ,. maybe you should get better informed before you come in with guns blazing with your feminism Gloria Steinem “I am woman hear me ROAR “ lol
Abraham and Franz are lovely. 🥰 they both have such a positiv additude and way of seeing live, though they stand an different sides. They are caring fathers and hard working men. Who am I to judge anything else. I wish all of them,to have what they always dreamt of.
Would love to see an update on this and how the community is now
Well some mennonites in this video talk at least 3 languages and some 4 (german, dutch, english and spanish), very impressive.
Most Europeans speak at least 2 languages. I speak Polish, German and English. A friend of mine speaks Arabic, English and French.
My grandmother was raised as a Mennonite, she spoke English, German and Spanish. Her family decided to leave the Mennonite Church when she was a teen.
Their Dutch I flawed lol (at least in USA)
@@TitusFFM that's a myth. Those with immigrant background yes, others not really. A continent where people speak multiple languages is Africa.
@@coxhas2884 Cox im from Germany everyone around me speaks two or more languages