Divine Healing
In Nature
Heavenly Peace
Holistic healing of body, mind, and spirit rooted in nature, faith, and love. A sanctuary for your complete wellbeing.
Our Purpose
A Taste of Heavenly Wholeness
Heavenly Foretaste Lifestyle Retreat is a faith-based haven offering an escape from life's busyness into nature's restorative embrace. We holistically heal and transform lives in Africa — addressing physical wellbeing, nurturing spiritual renewal, and emotionally revitalising guests through God's love.
Our sole purpose is to offer a miniature experience of heaven's peaceful atmosphere — improved health, spiritual enrichment, and an atmosphere of love that fosters a deep longing for God's Kingdom.
Our Healing Framework
The NEWSTART Approach
Eight natural laws of health that form the foundation of everything we do at Heavenly Foretaste.
Whole plant-based foods that nourish and restore vitality from within.
Invigorating movement to strengthen the body and elevate mood naturally.
Hydrotherapy and pure water for cleansing and healing the body inside out.
The healing power of sunlight for vitamin D, energy and mental clarity.
Embracing the good and abstaining from all that harms body or mind.
Fresh clean air — vital to oxygenate the blood and revitalize the mind.
Complete rest — physical, mental and spiritual — to renew every aspect of life.
Faith and connection with your Maker as the ultimate source of all healing.
What We Offer
Programs & Experiences
Health Education
Informative health seminars, cooking demonstrations, wellness lectures, and health expos brought to communities, schools, churches, and corporate workplaces — equipping people with knowledge to live healthier lives.
Youth Retreats
Purposeful short-term programs for young people aged 12–25 combining Bible study, health training, nature activities, and godly fellowship — building the next generation of health missionaries.
Spiritual Services
Daily devotions, pastoral counselling, Bible-based seminars, prayer walks in nature, and spiritual library access — fostering a deep and personal connection with God throughout every stay.
Lifestyle Disease Treatments & Consultations
Personalised consultations and natural treatments for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart disease, and more — using God's eight natural remedies (NEWSTART) to help the body heal itself.
Recreational Events
Trail hikes, nature walks, team-building challenges, jungle adventures, reading retreats by the water — joyful, restorative recreation that refreshes the body and soul in God's beautiful creation.
Industrial Skills for Youth
Hands-on training in sewing, crocheting, baking, floristry, cosmetic-making, carpentry, plumbing, and gardening — equipping youth with practical, self-sustaining skills rooted in purpose and faith.
Elderly Health Relief Program
Gentle, tailored health support for seniors — including soothing treatments, health screenings, nutrition guidance, stress relief, and community care visits to bring healing and comfort to the elderly.
Upcoming Programs
Retreat Experiences
Curated programs designed to restore every aspect of your being — body, mind and spirit.
Total Body Reset
A deep-dive 7-day program targeting lifestyle diseases through hydrotherapy, detox, plant-based meals, and personalised health coaching.
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Nutritional Harmony
Hands-on cooking classes, nutrition lectures, recipe development, and a personalised meal plan to take home and continue your journey.
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Spiritual Stillness
A contemplative nature retreat with Bible study, prayer walks, pastoral counselling, and deep communion with God in His creation.
Learn MoreWho We Serve
You Are Welcome Here
Heavenly Foretaste opens its doors to all who seek rest, healing, and renewal — regardless of background, race, or status.
- Individuals living with lifestyle diseases (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cancer)
- Couples and families seeking restorative time together in nature
- Office workers and professionals recovering from burnout and stress
- Students and youth seeking healthy, godly recreation and growth
- Tourists exploring the Garden Route and Eastern Cape coast
- Church groups and Seventh-day Adventist communities
- Young people in missionary and health education training programs
- Leaders and public figures seeking private renewal and healing
Our Home Base
Rooted in Kentani
Heavenly Foretaste Lifestyle Retreat is prayerfully established in the heart of rural Eastern Cape — a place chosen by God for its peace, community, and natural beauty.
Nontshinga Village,
Kentani — Eastern Cape
Nestled in the rolling green hills of the Kentani area in the Eastern Cape, Nontshinga village offers the serene, nature-rich environment that is the perfect foundation for our healing ministry. A place of quiet, community, and closeness to God's creation.
- Region: Kentani, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Setting: Rural village surrounded by hills, greenery & open land
- Community: Xhosa-speaking local community — our neighbours & ministry partners
- Future vision: Herbal gardens, farm, and full retreat centre on the grounds
Our Work in Action
What We've Done So Far
Every step of this ministry has been by God's grace. Here is a glimpse of what Heavenly Foretaste has already been doing in communities and in nature.
Young women camping in the mountains — learning cooking, Bible study & life skills in nature
Word of God sessions woven through every retreat day
Hands-on healing treatments bringing relief and restoration to those in need
Girls learning to prepare nourishing plant-based meals from scratch
Mountain hikes, walks, and quiet time in God's creation
Taking health education and screening directly to local communities and homes
Sewing, crafts and practical handwork taught during retreat programs
Bite-Sized Wisdom
Health Nuggets
Simple, powerful truths from God's natural health principles — shared by the ministry to transform everyday living.
Water Is Your First Medicine
Drinking 8 glasses of pure water daily flushes toxins, boosts metabolism, clears the skin, and supports every organ in the body. Start your morning with two glasses before anything else.
Sunlight Heals From the Inside Out
20–30 minutes of morning sunlight daily boosts Vitamin D, improves mood, strengthens bones, and regulates sleep. God placed the sun as one of nature's greatest healers.
Rest Is Not Laziness — It's Restoration
The body heals and repairs itself during sleep. 7–8 hours of quality sleep reduces cortisol, balances hormones, and strengthens the immune system. Honour the Sabbath rest principle daily.
Whole Plants Are God's Original Pharmacy
Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains contain thousands of phytonutrients that fight disease, reduce inflammation, and restore vitality — no side effects, just healing.
Fresh Air Feeds Your Brain
Spending time outdoors in clean air — especially among trees — increases oxygen levels, reduces blood pressure, lowers stress hormones, and sharpens mental clarity.
Movement Is Medicine
Just 30 minutes of brisk walking daily reduces the risk of heart disease by up to 35%, improves blood sugar, lifts depression, and adds years to your life. You were made to move.
The People Behind the Vision
Meet Our Team
Heavenly Foretaste is carried forward by a small, dedicated, and prayerful team — each one called to this work by God.
Zezethu Vellem
The visionary behind Heavenly Foretaste — a health missionary, Seventh-day Adventist minister, and accountant who gave her life to building this ministry from the ground up for God's glory.
Cleo Brass
The creative force of the ministry — shaping the voice, visual identity, and written materials of Heavenly Foretaste with excellence, beauty, and intentionality in every detail.
Tebogo Shaun Mokwena
The technical and media backbone of the ministry — building digital infrastructure, managing platforms, and amplifying the Heavenly Foretaste message across every screen and channel.
"To be the best health retreat that offers restorative natural health treatments, education, and healthy whole food meals — given with love and care — while enjoying the tranquility of nature and a deeper connection with God."— Our Mission · Heavenly Foretaste Lifestyle Retreat
