BENTONVILLE, Ark. — A man from Bentonville recently built a replica of Noah's Ark for a local church.
Austin Vanderveer is the owner and sole employee of Heritage Woodwork.
He worked on the project for about a month.
“I think the most challenging part was coming up with the spacing, like working backwards, like I knew that I wanted the top layer to be 24 feet long and come off the wall 30 inches. But also knew that it needed to taper in on the sides and taper in, like from the front down, to give a little bit of a curve. So, each layer sets in three-eighths of an inch down. So as it comes down overall, it tapers in about five inches on either side," said Vanderveer.
The Ark has a forever home in the children's area of Brand New Church in Farmington. The pastor, Shannon O'Dell, was thrilled to welcome the ark to the church.
“This is one of the most beautiful works of art that’s going to draw kids and also draw the reality of the bible for each one of them and when I saw it, I really couldn’t believe it," said O'Dell.
“The Lord would send us a literal boat to keep us afloat," said Vanderveer.
Just a few months ago, Vanderveer was working out of a shop in his backyard, but he and his wife felt like the business was meant for something bigger. So they found a big spot to lease.
“I think, in the moment, it really didn't feel like a huge leap until we had already leapt," said Vanderveer.
Vanderveer quickly realized faith would be a significant factor because the orders were not coming in as they had hoped.
“I have a men's group that I meet with, and I was talking with the guys, and they're like, hey, what do you need prayer for? And I was like, Well, guys, like, I just moved in this new shop. Things are kind of getting going, and we've got a lot more overhead. The build list is starting to get kind of low, like I just need some prayer that the Lord's just going to provide work," said Vanderveer.
Little did he know, his wife Hannah had the same idea.
“I was at home praying, asking the Lord for some business, you know, just what's the next thing God," said Hannah Vanderveer.
And just hours later, their prayers were answered.
“So I get this email, and at first, when I'm reading it, I actually thought that it was like spam, because I was like, an ark, like, what," said Hannah Vanderveer.
However, email was the real deal which led to the project of a lifetime.
“I lost count of how many sheets of plywood and lumber and all the things we've put into it. In total, it's over 24 feet long, and it's a little over 12 feet tall, and I know that the pallet, whenever it came in, was just under about 2,000 pounds worth of material that we've put into it," said Vanderveer.
While the hours were long, and the ark required quite a bit of work, Austin made sure to include his family throughout the whole process.
“It's been a whirlwind, roller coaster. I'm honestly so proud of him. Like, watching him, like, have this dream and work so hard," said Hannah Vanderveer.
It's a project that not only fills the Vanderveers with pride but also serves as a lesson to their kids, themselves, and everyone else who hears their story.
“This is proof that life following the Lord is an adventure, and that he's faithful and that he's good, and to just, whatever the next step towards the Lord is the next right step for you, and to just be faithful to take that step, because he'll be faithful to meet you there," said Vanderveer.
To see the Ark in person, visit Brand New Church, located at 271 W Main Street in Farmington. The church's first service in its new building will be on Dec. 23.