The Golan Heights could be known as the natural barrier that separates Israel from Syria. You can see the Golan Heights rising above the Lake of Galilee for miles on the north side. Of course, the Lake of Galilee is a primary water supply for most of Israel.

If you follow the Golan Heights and look far to the north of the Lake of Galilee, you will see Mt. Hermon. This is the biblical “Mount of Transfiguration.” Not too far from Mt. Hermon are the excavations of a place once called Caesarea Philippi. Jesus came to this area before going up to Mt. Hermon. It was the center of worship to the god Pan, with the sanctuary of the temple of Pan built right into the rocks, forming a cavern. King Agrippa II built his palace next door to it. The ruins of his palace are there for you to see.

When Jesus took Peter, James and John to this high mountain and was transfigured before them, His face shone like the sun. Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus. The confirmation to the disciples that this was not a vision but a real manifestation of the presence of God came when a voice from heaven spoke:

“This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am pleased,” Listen to him!

It was the moment when the disciples believed in Jesus and his imminent death.

The cavern in Ceasarea Philippi has something phenomenal about it. From under the cavern, directly from Mt. Hermon, flows rivers of water! The main source of water for the Lake of Galilee comes from under Mr. Hermon.

Do you understand me?

The presence of God on Mt. Hermon is still feeding Israel with water! Even the sanctuary of Pan will not stop the blessing flowing out from under Mt. Hermon. Rivers of it! The water runs down all the way to Jerusalem!

And to think Syria wants the Golan Heights!

Rick Bonfim

The view of the Golden Gate from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem has to be one of the most awe-inspiring sites anyone ever will see.

As our bus came to a stop, I came to the rail surrounding the view post and stared at the site. My prayers went up as an arrow, flying high to the target. I knew that the Lord would hear me that day. You see, when you are an evangelist, preaching 300 times a year and without a vacation in over six years, you became desperate for a breakthrough and a voice from heaven. God had to speak me that day, for my heart was yearning for His voice.

When I turned around, the group had disappeared and I found myself lost without anyone to follow. William, our guide, had taken the group to the bathroom. I had not noticed them leaving, and not knowing where to go, I asked a man selling maps,” If you were lost from your group, what would you do?” He looked to me with interest and said, “See that man? Follow him.” The man was as lost as I was and was going down an alley headed to Garden of Gethsemane. I walked as fast as I could from the top of the Mount of Olives through the Kidron Valley.

William, our guide, asked the priest in charge of the garden if we could go in and kneel around those trees. The priest consented and as if an angel opened the gates, we went in for prayer. I have been around prayer altars for 30 years but I never felt what I felt kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The years of service, praying and fasting, overcoming all odds, crying and pleading for power - all of it came to a halt in the garden. I wanted to thank Him. I wanted to ask for energy and strength amidst the pain of missing my family, my grandchildren and my wife. The road gets lonely and tiresome. From hotel to hotel year after year, you become almost numb. If was not for the power of the Holy Spirit, I would be dead by now. But by His grace and love, I am renewed day by day. Each morning as if magic, all my tiredness is transformed into joy and my mind is overpowered by the Word.

Gethsemane was the moment, the miracle. Kneeling close to those trees was as powerful as kneeling at a poor church in Brazil. It was supernatural and overwhelming to me. I asked the Lord for strength, grace, and blessings for the year of 2008. I asked the Lord for blessing in my family and my children. I asked the Lord for mercy. I asked the Lord for power to continue on this road of obedience. My heart was pounding inside my chest. I could not contain my tears of joy and conviction. The love of God was present and ministering to me. I want to go back to that place next year! It changed my life!

Rick Bonfim

Edited by Betty Mckinney