iWorshipHere.com’s Blog

In 2005, a Dutch building contractor named Johan Huibers started to build a replica of Noah’s Ark with his own hands. The history of this Ark is very special. Huibers: “In 1992 I had a dream where I dreamt that Holland disappeared in enormous masses of water, something like the Tsunami in South-East Asia. That sounds pretty rough of course.” But Huibers is not expecting a new flood.

He sees it as his task to bring the Bible story back to people’s attention through the Ark replica. I want to let visitors visualize what the Ark looked like to bring the account closer to those who believe but also to those who don’t. Noah’s story speaks to them mostly because of the animals on board. There are many realistic polyester animals! Children can view various films, visit the Bible story displays and follow the footprints of the elephant while searching for the answers on the questionnaire.

Fourteen years after Johan had his dream, he started building on the Ark in June 2005.

This Ark in half of the original length of Noah’s Ark and a third of the width. (The original Ark was 140 cubits long, and 23 cubits wide and 14 cubits high, This Ark is 70 cubits long, 9,5 cubits wide and nearly 13 cubits high). This Ark is built on a barge that can be moved with a tug boat, so that’s how the Ark is able to visit different places in Holland.

The Dutch replica of Noah’s Ark is now located in Kampen along the Havenweg (near the Koggewerf as known to locals). The Ark can be visited there until the 1st of November 2008.

The Ark keeps attracting many visitors! In one and a half years time more then 250.000 people have seen the Ark! Young and old alike react with enthusiasm to this beautiful project that was completed in one and a half years by one man named Johan Huibers.

This replica, being about half the size of the real Ark offers people a chance to taste a little of how it must have been on the Ark.

The many life size animals in cages and the beautiful structure of the building of the Ark bring the story of Noah to life. But next to that people get a lot of information about the worldwide flood and the Ark through displays and films. Along the tour where elephant footprints lead the way, people enjoy seeing the beautifully hand painted paintings on the walls and enjoy finding animals everywhere…

More Bible stories are displayed and there are fossils that confirm the flood. On the top floor is a “restaurant” where you can get a snack, coffee or soda’s and besides that you will have a great view from the deck.

So, if you believe the story of Noah, you’ll greatly enjoy seeing it from up close! And if you’re not familiar with the story or you question if it ever happened you’ll probably enjoy getting a better picture and more information about this beautiful story of hope and God’s enormous love for you!

Investments
The investment in the Ark was about 100.000 Euro’s. Money that Johan loaned from the bank using some of his business halls as pledge. With the money that comes in from the entree fees part of the expences are paid off and other than that the money is used to build an Ark real size! That project started some months ago. More info: see bottom homepage!

Johan worked on this ark from 8am- 5pm, six days a week, assisted by his son Roy who came to help after school hours.

For more information on Johan Huibers and the Ark project, see www.arkvannoach.com

 Copyright 2007 Arkvannoach.com

Noah’s Ark Rebuilt!