“No destination on whole Spanish Main conjured up such dreams of avarice as sleepy little town of Portobello on Caribbean coast of Panama. This was not a thriving metropolis like Havana, or a mighty seaport like Cartagena; it was a small settlement which only came to life once every couple of years when Spanish galleons put in to collect silver which had been brought from mines of Potosi – up Peruvian coast to Panama City and across isthmus by mule – before being shipped back to Spain. It came to life because galleons not only collected silver; they also brought every sort of consumer commodity which citizens of Portobello and – more importantly – of Panama City wanted. When galleons were in harbour, a two-week fair ensued, of which a first-hand account has come down to us from a most unusual source: a book called ‘The English-America’ which is not only available to us but which was also available to Morgan.

Terry Dashner………Faith Fellowship Church PO Box 1586 Broken Arrow, OK 74013

You can’t find wind, but wind will find you and envelope you. Why is this true? Do you remember these words? “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.” Wind just happens or does it?

As you know, I have utmost respect for Dr. D. James Kennedy. He has written another wonderful book entitled, What if America were a Christian Nation Again? (Thomas Nelson Publishers: Nashville, TN 2003). In his book, Dr. Kennedy speaks of Sovereignty of God, especially as it relates to discovery and progress of America. What really strikes me about Almighty is His wind.

God directs wind at His command. For example, Columbus’s ship was moved along by a mysterious wind. Says Dr. Kennedy, “Columbus’s ship, historians tell us, was headed directly toward Carolinas. But during long voyage, frightened, restless crew threatened mutiny. They planned to throw admiral overboard and return to Europe. Suddenly, cry went up that land had been sighted to southeast. Columbus’s log tells us that they headed toward that land, but what they had seen was merely a cloud on horizon. Still mutiny was averted.

“Several days later, however, men were once again ready to overthrow admiral. Oddly enough, a flock of birds flew over ship, heading southwest. A second correction was made, which diverted ship from heading toward north Florida; thus, Columbus landed at San Salvador” (page 12). What if birds had not appeared on “wings of wind”? For one, Americans would be speaking Spanish instead of English. And English Protestants never would have established a foothold on eastern seaboard.

God directs wind. For example, 32 years before Pilgrims sailed to America Spanish tried to conquer Great Britain, which would have changed course of human history. At time, Spain ruled seas but was being blighted by Englishmen like Sir Francis Drake. Spain sent out “Invincible Armada,” to crush English once and for all. Not far from Lisbon, winds blew up a storm and destroyed many Spanish ships. This leveled playing field—or should I say battle field. Once Spanish were routed by smaller, but faster sailing ships of British, England ruled seas and began to colonize a new world. Once again, wind, directed course of modern history.