Answers in Genesis – Ark Encounter Ribbon Cutting
On July 5, my wife Paula and I (along with 7,000 others) had the privilege of attending the ribbon cutting for the opening of Answers in Genesis’ Ark Encounter in northern Kentucky.
Tom & Paula with Ken
The ark is a full-sized replica of Noah’s Ark as described in the Bible. It is 510 feet long (approximately one and one half times the length of a football field), 85 feet wide (about one-half the width of a football field), and 51 feet high (almost 7 stories) and the largest timber frame structure in the world. Its immensity is a remarkable sight inside and out! The ark is the result of the vision of AiG’s founder and president, Ken Ham, a vision that started approximately 25 years ago when he moved from Australia as a missionary to the United States.
Flying Pterosaurs
Cages with food and water dispensers
After the ceremony during which Ken thanked those involved in the building of the ark, giving all the glory to the Lord and spending some time in prayer and worship, the ark was opened for the first time for the public explore its three-level structure. Each level has cages (some with very realistic sculptured animals) and exhibits, including explanations of how the care of the animals might have occurred. They are very forthcoming about the fact this is an artistic rendition of what the ark could have looked like and how it might have operated, based on the information provided in the Bible.
The overcast day threatened rain before the ribbon-cutting (which generated many comments about how appropriate that would have been) but after spending a couple of hours touring the ark, we exited to almost clear skies, having wondering if this is how Noah might have felt at the end of the flood.
The Ark Encounter truly is a remarkable achievement, and we congratulate Ken and his team for bringing it to completion. We encourage you to make an effort to visit it. See how Noah’s Ark really could hold all the animals and survive the Flood. The truth of the Bible can be trusted!
Dr. & Mrs. John Whitcomb
On a personal note, it was good to see so many friends of the ministry, including Dr. John Whitcomb and his wife Norma, who did a river trip with me in 2006. In his introductions, Ken said that as co-author of The Genesis Flood, the ark is really part of Dr. Whitcomb’s legacy as well. We also got to visit with many other river trip alumni, some going back 15 years. We hope you will all consider a “creation trip” to see the Ark Encounter and do a rim tour or river trip with us!
Because God is our Creator,
Tom
