Carmel Christian Holiday and Conference Center

Donations & Developments

Carmel has a happy history of having been part of the spiritual growth and development of thousands of South African Christians and many from further afield. Whether they have visited on holiday, attended a camp, worked here as part of our community, or joined in one of our special ministry weeks, many look back on their time at Camel as formative and vital in their relationship with the living Lord Jesus. Carmel means "a place of fruitfulness" and fruit has been seen in the lives of many who have experienced restoration, renewal, refreshment, and a new confidence in God.

In order to ensure that Carmel's ministry continues, Carmel invites interested parties to become "partners in our progress" by means of financial support, either on a once off basis, or regularly. This will move us more rapidly to complete the vision given by Jack and Kaye Edkins for the development of Carmel.

The ongoing policy of the Trustees is that we will not increase our guest rates in order to fund new capital projects. As a result, over the years, major development projects and recovery needs have been funded from gifts, rather than from operating surplus. Our beautiful garden chapel, destroyed by a veld fire in September 2000 and its replacement, opened in 2003, are wonderful examples of this, built almost entirely by amazing gifts from our supporters.

Donations are still needed to complete the original vision as given by Jack and Kaye, to support specific ministry expenses over and beyond those of running our accommodation establishment and to further extend our provision for more full-time Christian workers and missionaries to come to Carmel for their much deserved rest periods. (Application can be made for such holidays).

We praise the Lord for the money and wonderful gifts which have been provided over many years, given because we are a Christian ministry and not just a good holiday venue! Without them we would not have been able to keep going.

BARN RESTORATION PROJECT
The work on the barn has continued step by step as gifts have become available. The main work has all been completed, but we are holding the fund in memory of Uncle Jack open, as there are still furnishings & fittings to be provided & maybe something better than a concrete floor! The venue is great as a recreational area and was also used as a meeting venue during the season. Our property team have moved into their new offices on the south end of the barn & are bound to be far more efficient, as well as a lot happier, in their new home. Our grateful thanks to all who have contributed funds & those who have worked in making this project the success it certainly is!

ASSOCIATE COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
The first two houses have been commenced and will be complete in a couple of months. We have a new Carmel skyline to the north! All the plots have now been transferred so the respective owners have until September 2009 to complete their homes.

After much deliberation, prayer and advice, the Trustees have decided to use 5 of the remaining erven for a fractional title development. Fractional title means that a number of persons purchase a share in a furnished self-catering unit that they own and utilize as a holiday home. The position for these units will be along the road on the eastern edge of the caravan park overlooking Victoria Bay. This scheme will see the mix of holiday accommodation at Carmel being expanded which is very much within our goals & objectives. It is envisaged for example, that a one-tenth share, entitling the owner to 5 weeks accommodation per year, in a three-bed, two bathroom, fully furnished unit, would cost less than R200 000. The five weeks would not be in a fixed time slot, but would comprise a three-week and a two-week block that would change each year. Other combinations of sharing are of course negotiable by the prospective shareholders. Owners would however be entitled to exchange their block, with other owners on a mutually negotiated basis. The final details regarding the style of the units, the furnishings, etc still have to be worked out. At this stage we need to know if there are enough persons who would want to buy into such a scheme to make it viable. If you are interested we would ask you to please send your details to Phillip Parsons, either electronically at philpars@telkomsa.net or by writing to Carmel, PO Box 12099, Garden Route Mall, George, 6546.

OTHER PROPERTY NEWS & PLANS
We continue to think and plan for the future, and the following remain in our overall plan to be tackled as and when budget permits and /or funds are available!

A full renovation to the old administrative offices to accommodate our financial team.
Conversion of the old financial offices into general toilets adjacent to reception and the public lounge areas.
Extension to the dining room towards the south.
Extension to the main building to provide a new reception area and additional admin offices.
The rebuilding of maintenance stores & workshops.
Improved and extended team accommodation.
Completion of our paved roadway, including the reception area.

Would you consider supporting our ministry financially?

Cheques and bank transfers to:

     The Carmel Evangelical Trust
     P.O.Box 12099, Garden Route Mall, 6546
     Bank Account: Standard Bank, George
     Branch code: 050214
     Account No:082899096

Carmel by the Sea, PO Box 12099, Garden Route Mall, George, 6546. ph (044) 8890019 fax (044) 8890022 email: reservations@carmel.org.za OR admin@carmel.org.za