Ark Encounter Invitation

By Joanna Voynik

Spring 2017

Noah, My Dear Friend,

As excited as I was to receive your invitation to come for a long-overdue visit, nothing could compare to the wonderful and awe-inspiring feat you and your family have accomplished.  Of course, with God by your side, all things are possible.

I guess I wasn’t expecting your ark to be of such humongous proportions – I was truly overwhelmed!  Your work certainly is a testament to your strong faith in God’s ability to guide you to carry out His will.  I am amazed and humbled to witness, first-hand, such devotion, dedication and enduring trust.

Noah

Visiting with you, Noah, was such a pleasure.  Please extend my thanks to your lovely wife, Emzara(*), and your entire family for welcoming me so warmly and making me feel so comfortable.  Your home is a true marvel.  I hope I am able to reciprocate the hospitality in the near future.

As you know, I took many pictures so I could share my experience and your remarkable ark with friends here.  I will enclose some of the pictures I intend to include (with your permission) in an article I want to write for The Good News, a Christian publication.  Let me know what you think.

Noah’s Ark

At the outset, what kind of reaction do you think will be engendered by seeing this from afar?

or this up close?

Amazing!  The massive structure alone is, in itself, intimidating.  Your attention to detail for everyday living is both creative and utilitarian by nature.

I liked being able to view the interior of the bow and the areas of the hull that are compartmentalized for storing food and water.

I certainly don’t want to ignore the giant doors by which the animals entered – they are so grand!

God gave you instructions.  I know, Noah, and it is a beauty to behold.  Eight people living aboard your ship for nine months to a year, accompanied by 7,000 animals, would certainly necessitate the need for comfort and functionality to go hand in hand.  What a joy it was to tour your lovely home, albeit temporary.

Speaking of the animals, the manner in which they are penned, crated or caged is nothing short of genius.  Taking into account their feeding and waste management needs, the fluidity of your system seems flawless.  It works!  The animals actually appear quite content.

Your living deck has such a calming effect.  I’m sure that was intended so that you and your family could go about your daily life (apart from animal maintenance) with normalcy, whether it be woodworking, blacksmithing, meal preparation, reading, praying, worshiping, or merely self-reflection and relaxation.    

I know and love Emzara’s hand in interior design and provision of all the creature comforts. (Excuse the pun, Noah, I just couldn’t resist!)

Your sons, Ham, Shem and Japheth, and their wives were so helpful to me.  It’s wonderful to experience a homogeneous family with a unity of spirit and dedication to the purpose of God’s intention.  Please let them know of my appreciation and gratitude.

On my extensive tour, I admired your constant reminders of our greatest gift – eternal life.  The promise of new life is always available because of the Grace by which it is offered.  To God be the glory!

From the story of the creation of the world, the events and happenings in your time, Noah, a cleansing and rebirth for a doomed people, to collision of past and present times – what an expansion of God’s love in today’s world! I’m in awe.  God only knows what is to come!

Noah, because of your love of God and willingness to follow Him, your influence is far-reaching.  By opening your home and your life to query and research, people have another vehicle by which to enhance their lives by following your example and, more importantly, by following God’s direction for completeness in their lives – in Him.

Thank you, once again, my friend, for your graciousness.  May God continue to bless you and your family richly.

Your good friend in Christ (I know, but we talked about Him.)

………………………………………………

(*) Although unnamed in the Bible, Ark Encounter gives Noah’s wife this name. ………………………………………………

This article was written (with poetic license) by one who has recently visited the Ark Encounter.  I found my visit to be extremely informative and, often, enlightening.  I believe there is something there for everyone and I encourage you to go and enjoy.  It’s a sweet time!

Joanna Voynik

P.S.  I “Noah” man and he’s anticipating your visit.

Ken Ham Disputes Reports the Ark Encounter is Sinking

By Emily McFarlan Miller

(RNS) Answers in Genesis founder Ken Ham is disputing reports the ministry’s Noah’s Ark-themed park is taking on water.

The Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Ky., hasn’t seen bad attendance, Ham blogged on Answers in Genesis’ website, just bad press.

The 800-acre theme park includes an ark built to the measurements God gave Noah in the biblical flood account. Its exhibits defend a “young Earth creationist” interpretation of Scripture that maintains the Earth is about 6,000 years old and that flood account is literally, historically true.

America’s Research Group had estimated the park would attract between 1.4 million and 2.2 million visitors its first year.

As the Ark Encounter marks its first anniversary on July 7, attendance at the ark “will draw near the low end of the estimated guest number,” Ham wrote. Park co-founder Mike Zovath told the Lexington Herald-Leader it will attract its 1 millionth visitor by July.

In addition to the low turnout at the park, Williamstown businesses haven’t seen the flood of customers they had expected as a result of the park’s opening, according to the Herald-Leader. Ham, however, has disputed these reports.

“Nowadays, it seems very few reporters in the secular media actually want to report facts regarding what they cover as news,” he wrote. “When it comes to reporting on theologically conservative Christians like those of us at AiG, whose ideology they strongly oppose, many writers have an agenda to undermine Christianity as they file their stories.”

The newspaper quoted the mayor of the nearby town of Dry Ridge saying the park “has been great” for business, and it noted county tourism revenue is up based on hotel tax receipts. But Ham seemed to take issue with anecdotal evidence from several Williamstown business owners that people visiting the park weren’t necessarily visiting their shops and restaurants.