The red ribbon has been cut inaugurating the new Christian high school pavilion of the French-speaking Christian school L’École L’Eau-Vive (Living Water). The new building, including a double gymnasium, science lab and music hall, was constructed during the pandemic on time and underbudget! The Lord performed many miracles so that families might choose a quality Christian education for their children.
One of just four Christian evangelical schools in the province of Quebec, L’École L’Eau-Vive opened as a private school in 2001 with some seventy students. Twenty years later the grade and high schools were bursting at the seams with 425 students. The eight classrooms of the new pavilion will receive the more than 150 high school students. The double gymnasium and music hall will be used by both elementary and secondary students.
The Lord intervened numerous times to permit the new construction. During the early months of the pandemic, when the markets were unstable, construction bids came in nearly one million dollars below architectural estimates! A year and a half later, with a reinvigorated school construction market, the same project would cost twice as much.
The Spirit of the Lord also inspired generous financing. Over the past seven years, more than $1.5 million was raised in donations, as well as $1.2 million in private, low-interest loans. Nearly all these funds were received from people living in Quebec. The mortgage financing came, however, from outside the province. Public financial institutions declined to examine the L’École L’Eau-Vive loan application because of its confession of faith. The school board applied to Christian Stewardship Services (CSS) which, after examination of the financial plan, granted a $6.1 million mortgage.
More than four hundred parents and supporters attended the inauguration of the new school. The principal, Mrs. Caroline Blanchet, shared testimonies of the Lord’s response to prayer that even convinced the contractor to make prayer requests for timely material deliveries and for good weather conditions. She also expressed her sincere thanks to many staff members, parents, and volunteers for their involvement at all levels of the project. The architects, engineers, contractors, and project managers received a standing ovation for their completion of the new building on time and under budget.
Before visiting the new facilities, the school community heard from three students. Évelyne Leblanc, a 3rd grade student, expressed her desire to graduate and enter the new high school. High school student presidents, Yohan Larrivée and Manassé Mikobi, thanked the community for their generous support in providing them with a modern facility, particularly the gymnasium, and with the promise of a better sports program. (Their names testify to the ethnic diversity of the student body, representing five continents.)
Enrollment for the 2022-23 academic year has begun. The two school pavilions can receive more than 500 students. By receiving a Christian education where Christ is Lord of all, each student may become a radiant light shining for the glory of God in all walks of life throughout Quebec City, the province of Quebec, and even the whole world.
