DATE: Monday, July 7, 1997                  TAG: 9707070056

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:   87 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT -- NORTH CAROLINA

Recently I received a clipping from your paper about the archaeological dig and findings at Buxton. It was a very good article, and I wish the researchers success.

While doing some research on a different subject, that being the first named ship pilot in Virginia waters, I stumbled across the ``Lost Colony'' and its disappearance.

A Portuguese pilot, Vincente Gonzalez, employed by the Spaniards in St. Augustine, Fla., brought 12 Jesuits to the Peninsula in 1570. He returned in 1587 with a Spanish pilot, Ginez Pinzon, and a crew of 30. They were looking for the ``large English fort,'' rumored to be ``North of Florida, in Virginia.''

They went up the Chesapeake, to what is now Elkton. Then they returned down the Bay, crossing from side to side.

Friendly Cape Charles Indians waded in ``knee-deep water'' to greet the Spaniards, who returned their kindness by kidnapping one Indian. At sunset they sailed to sea, bound for St. Augustine.

The next day, off the Carolina coast, the mast was lowered and Ginez Pinzon, Vincente Gonzalez commanding, had the little vessel rowed through Fernandino Inlet, landing at Roanoke Island. (Fernandino was the pilot for all three Roanoke expeditions, and was responsible for the settlers going ashore at Roanoke instead of Lynnhaven, Va. He was anxious to chase the Spanish treasure fleet before the season passed.)

On Roanoke Island the Spaniards found that the colonists were already gone. Houses taken down, metal ingots lying about, weeds, a slip for a small boat and a water cask. This was only 10 months after John White had left for England, hoping to get more supplies.

Although White was able to secure one small vessel to resupply the colony, it never arrived. The English were more than three years finding out what the Spaniards already knew.

Arthur C. Johnson, Jr.

Heathsville, Va.

`Under His Wings' draws praise:

It was a mere coincidence that I saw the production, ``Under His Wings.'' Or was it? I was on my way to Disney World, traveling with my family, when we were forced to come back after our camper broke down twice. Actually, this was a blessing in disguise, since I was not feeling well anyway. I was struggling with bipolar, an illness that can severely affect mood swings in one's mind. I was also struggling with my feelings concerning God. ``Why had God allowed this to happen to me?''

My mother-in-law saw an article in the paper about the play and asked the family if we would like to see it. We all felt like we wanted to salvage something from our otherwise spoiled vacation and agreed to see the play. Although I agreed, too, I must admit that I was very nervous about being around other people, a definite symptom of my illness. Pleasurable things can become tests of endurance instead.

As we pulled into the parking lot, I asked how long the play was. When my father-in-law told me that it was 2 1/2 hours, I began to wonder if I could concentrate on any one thing that long. However, as I entered the building I felt God's presence in both the friendly greetings of the people and in the place itself. Suddenly, I wanted to cry. I wanted to be here in God's house. I had always clung to His great promise of redemption, although at times I had found I had not sought Him as diligently as I should have. As I sat in the auditorium, my mind was constantly assaulted by disturbing memories. The medicine the doctor had prescribed was not quite able to erase all the frightening thoughts. I wondered again how I would be able to concentrate, even how I could possibly find any enjoyment in the performance. Then I felt Jesus promising me that he would use His power to keep me focused during the performance. I could feel His presence and my mind became clearer.

Watching the play, I began to relate to Naomi as she talked of her bitterness. I, too, was bitter over my illness. ``Why had God let me become sick again? Had he turned away from me just when I needed Him most?'' As Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz all prayed to God later in the play, I heard all three proclaim, ``God I never needed you more.'' I asked God to let me pray the same prayer because never have I needed Him more than right now in my own life. I found myself rejoicing when Ruth proclaimed that God could take evil and turn it to good. What a marvelous God! Perhaps he could bring good out of my illness.

I thought of all the times I had done things that had hurt my Savior and realized that even then He had loved me with an undying love. As Reuben summarized the play by explaining how we all have two choices, to either disregard God, as Orpah had, or to openly embrace God's undying love for us, as Ruth chose, I found myself wanting Jesus to redeem me as Boaz did Ruth. It was then that I knew with even greater certainty that Jesus died on the cross for me! I knew He could bring joy back into my life.

Nancy Jones

Chesapeake, Va.

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