Catherine Rempel with her children, including one of her duaghters sewing, in their house in a Mennonite village. Near the city of Santa Cruz, there are about 15,000 Mennonites living in isolated communities. Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptists, part of the peace churches who are committed to non-violence, non-resistance and pacifism and place a strong theological emphasis on voluntary service.