Fred Bennick, owner of Zip Signs in Burlington, passes Rhema on the way to his cottage which is located near the school.

Last year, Bennick contacted Ray Hendriks, principal, by e-mail.

“He saw our sign and thought it was old and needed replacing,” says Hendriks. “He said he would like to give us a new sign.”

Hendriks admits he didn’t know whether to believe that the offer was legitimate. Further contact, however, revealed that Bennick was the real deal.

“He’s a great Christian school supporter,” says Hendriks. “He feels that the Lord has blessed him over the years and that he’s therefore able to bless schools in return.”

“It’s quite amazing,” Hendriks adds. “He knew nothing about us, other than that we’re a Christian school.”

Hendriks estimates that the sign is worth between $20,000 and $30,000.

“The dilemma is how to thank somebody for the enormity of a gift like this, especially since he’s the kind of person who wants no recognition.”

Rhema leaders are currently considering a number of ways to show their appreciation. The grade two class has written a story about the installation of the sign and a copy will be sent to Bennick. A photograph of the sign, fronted by the school’s students, will also be given to him. Other ideas are also being floated.

Hendriks adds that the new sign is an example of an “unasked-for blessing.”

“We’ve had two or three of those over the years. It continues to astound me that God knows what we need before we ever ask. Now we don’t know what we ever did without this sign.”

Other people have donated their services and time to help with the sign’s installation. A new family to the school, Jason and Jennifer Derry, owners of Kawartha Stoneworks, offered to create the landscaping and take care of the installation of the footings. They will complete the landscaping, including raised flowerbeds, in the spring. A local cement company donated the concrete for the sign’s installation. Hotze Pel, Ray’s father in-law, contributed his time to hook up the wiring for the structure.