MENNONITES IN PARAGUAY

Today, there are about 28.000 Mennonites in Paraguay. They are living in 20 colonies and in Asuncion. The three most known colonies are in the Chaco. In the following, one wilI find the names, date of foundation, origin and population of those colonies: Information about books, videos of the Mennonites and much more you can ask for, at the hotel westfalenhaus. Fax: 00595 21 291 241.

From where?

In the 1600's, Menno Simons (born in 1496) gave the name the Mennonite Church in Witmarsum, Friesland. which is located in the most Northern part of netherlands. The Mennonjtes do not accept the rite of baptism as a child, a government's religious preferences, military duty, oaths and divorce. The Mennonites are strict followers of Christ's precepts, which He made clear during his sermon on the mount. The importance of brotherhood is number one of the Mennonites.

The German Protestants and Cathodes persecuted the Mennonites. Therefore, the Mennonites fled from Germany to the Netherlands and in Prussia as well as after the 30 Year War in Baden into Elsali, Kurpfalz. and Mahren.

Beginning around 1683, their emigration to North America began. In the 1800's, many Mennonites fled to Russia in a swamp

district, which they then transformed into a farming region. From here, many Mennonites fled to the USA and Canada around 1850, in order to avoid the required Russian military draft. Here, now lies the central part of Mennonite history and their church for peace.

Today, they are to be found worldwide. 1,000,000 baptized members making up the international Mennonite church. In Germany, there are 15,000 Mennonites.

The Mennonites in Paraguay came in 1927 from Canada and founded the Chaco colony, ,,Menno". They left Canada, because the government ignored their original agreement of having their own schools. The Mennonites did not want to send their children in public, non-religious schools.

Here, in the wilderness of the Chaco with its extreme climatic conditions, the Mennonites began their awesome task of building a successful farming and religious community. Through their endless sacrifice and toil, they now are the leading milk producers in Paraguay controlling 70 % of the milk industry.

Almost all Mennonites speak an old German dialect, PIattdeutsch, which is mixed with their various native languages. A German from FriesJand, Germany can today still understand this German dialect, which prevails still in the Chaco,

The history of the Mennonites is very interesting and one should obtain literature about the Mennonites. Unfortunately, in most book stores, one finds hardly any information. However, an excellent collection can be found in hotel westfalenhaus in Asuncion. Many of these books are no longer in print. However, one can obtain photocopies here.

Due to the various foundings of each colony, there are many differences, which exist between each colony even today. Some colonies are more progressive, while others are conservative and rigid in their beliefs and life style. In general, regarding to their exterior appearance, one can easily distinguish them from their Paraguayans counterparts. These differences, however, are not only limited to their clothing, but rather their religious and cultural practices.

At the risk of generalization, we will attempt to group the Mennonites in Paraguay in three categories. The first group is the Mermonite colony in Chaco, which can be subdivided in three groups: 1) Menno, (with Loma Plata as the center). 2) Femheim (H-ladelfia), 3) Neuland (Neu-Halbstadt).

The second group is located in the Eastern part of Paraguay. These colonies are:

Friesland, Volendam, Tres Palmas, The Mennonites in Asuncion. These groups are the most progressive Mennonites in Paraguay. The population of these three modem colonies is about 17,000.

Their clothing does not vary significantly between these groups. They all place much emphasis on a solid education, which is combined with the national school program and those principles of each Mennonite community. Many young Mennonites study at the national universities in Paraguay or abroad. The Mennonites have a center office in Asuncion with an executive secretary. The corresponding address is 1,050 Republica de Columbia. The Mennonites are found to be cooperating in economical, cultural and charitable programs. They also assist the local Paraguayan farmers to obtain property in order to found own communities.

The three colonies in the Chaco work in a joint-venture and dedicate themselves to evangelism, the organization of the three colonies, and the education of 16,000 native Indians. They also operate their own radio station, ZP-30, which is known as the .Voice of the Chaco of Paraguay". This radio station transmits programs in eight languages. Together, they run a psychiatric clinic in the Chaco as well as a sanatorium for leprosy at Km. Sl next to Highway 2. Thousands of people have received free treatment here over the iast 50 years. In Asuncion, the Mennonites help in psychiatric hospitals in the preparation of meals and physical and mental therapies: where they have constructed wail-equipped pavillons. They also sponsor a retirement home and clinic for the aged in Capiata. In Asuncion, they also run a day nursery for needy parents or single parents. The majority of the personnel in these programs are young people from the various colonies, which offer their time and service on a voluntary basis. They also have Bible seminaries, where their members receive instruction for their spiritual work.

The second major group include the Mennonites in the colonies of Sommerfeld, Bergthal, Reinfeld, Rio Verde, Santa Clara, Durango and Manitoba. This group has a population of about 12,000 persons, who migrated from Canada and Mexico to Paraguay. These Mennonites are much more orthodox and try to maintain the traditions of their ancestors. The uniformity in their life style is their trademark. The traditions and heritage of their ancestors are considered to be sacred. They avoid the modern development and worldly ways. Their schools are rudimentary and have seven grades for their boys and six for their girls. Their textbooks are limited to a Fibel (a reader), a book of catechism, the Bible, and a hymnal. In addition, they do teach the ele-mentary principles of mathematics. They are farmers, who raise primarily crops and also produce some milk and cheese. In recent years there is a growing openness to the other colonies. They cooperate together with the other groups in various health programs and projects throughout Paraguay.

The third group is composed of the colonies of Luz de Esperanza, Agua Azul, Rio Corrientes and La Montana. This group is quite small and not as well known. Their ancestors come from the USA and consequently, speak primarily English. However, they pledge themselves to learn Spanish. In their school, there are 12 grades and they teach English and Spanish. They also teach their non-Mennonites neighbours' children. Many Paraguayans are now of this colony, due to the intense conversion efforts.

Perhaps, the question remains: ,,What are the major differences between the Mennon-ites?". Partially, it is question of their individual histories. Their migratory routes took place over the last four centuries and through and from many different countries from throughout the entire world. Consequently, the Mennonites were separated and globally dispersed. In the earlier times, international communication was not possible and they lost contact with each other, due to their diversified migrations around the world.

The major difference can be noted in their doctrine and their respective structures-In their churches, they practice a congrega-tional system. It is said, that each congregation is autonomous. A central authority does not exist in any sense. This concept opens the door for subjective interpretations, but on the other hand, a strong brotherhood between the Mennonites exists. Consequently, each member is responsible for his brothers in each and every congregation. As the basis for their congregations, they use the Holy Bible and through its principles they achieve much harmony and mutual agreement. If they can not agree on an issue, they are required to respect the other opinion.

In Paraguay, the Mennonites are considered as an ethnic group- These are several reasons for this classification. First of all, they live in their own colonies, have their own schools, their own languages (German and as welt as another dialect), their own traditions and their own cultural traits. Furthermore, their religious beliefs are not limited to the Mennonite colonies in Paraguay. Their religion is international and is not limited to a race or an ethnic group. To be a Mennonite, means to be a Christian and a member of a church, which is based on the teachings of the Bible. It is a form of life, not a race or nation. Since its origins of 400 years ago, they have always proclaimed Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour (Mathew 28; 19). As a result, they are very active as missionaries and proclaim the glory of God in every corner of the earth. There are now over 6,000 Indian-Mennonites converts in the Mennonites of many races and languages, who work together as brothers, to preach the glory of God everywhere.

The fundamental beliefs of the Mennonite Church are:

1) The apostolic creed, which is valid for all Christians throughout the world.

2) The Bible, which is considered as the word of God and is the ultimate authority in all questions of faith and conduct. (2. Timothy 3:16; 2. Peter 1:21).

3) The church is composed of baptized believers, which is achieved after repentance and the acceptance of Jesus Christ in their lives as Lord and Saviour. (Mat-hew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38-41).

4) Christ is the only path to salvation and is the single fundament of the church (John 14:6, 1. Corinthians, 3:11).

5) The gospel is a massage of peace and reconciliation between God and the people. It's based in the example of Jesus Christ and his teachings (Mathew 5-7) and the example of the first Christians. They decline every form of violence and oppression, in respect of their religious, political and economical ways.