Just under four months ago, I attempted to find Christ. Unfortunately, I failed. Not to be deterred, I decided to try again. Perhaps all of my meditation would pay off and I would finally find God.

Now staying in gorgeous Ipanema, Ekaterina and I walked along the beach.

We stopped to buy some coconuts and relax for a little bit. Real coconut water was just what we needed after going to Lapa the night before. We then continued the stroll.

After narrowly missing the train to the top of the mountain, we excitedly disembarked and started climbing the stairs. Unlike last time, I could actually see more than three feet in front of me. In fact, we could see everything.

Finally, the moment I had been waiting for. On the eighth day in Rio, I saw Jesus. And it was good.

Much better than last time:

Afterward, we went back to the beach to see the sunset. I began to rant about how amazing the sunsets are in Manizales. I said I didn’t think even Rio could compare. I soon ate my hat (so to speak).

The sky became increasingly pink as the minutes passed.

It was a most beautiful night in the most beautiful city in the world.