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Navigating the Journey
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This is a KUNV Studios original program.
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The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 Jazz & More, the University of Nevada Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
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Black Ball Triple Seven Productions presents the Black Ball Triple Seven Productions podcast, Faith Knowledge in College Edition. This program has been brought to you by Black Ball Point Triple Seven Productions. And now, here is your host.
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And the Black Ball himself is bouncing back on radio. Yeah, what's going on everybody? Black Ball here with my two familiar guests, Dylan and Shilah. We're here to talk about Vegas Urban Services. This is a, as they call it, an urban justice. We've got some students that come from California. They often join us and we do multiple different things throughout the week. It's usually a five day program, four to five day program. To talk about it a little more in depth I'm here with Dylan, Chenleka, Villain, and Shyla. How you guys doing today? Doing well, Jabri. Thank you for
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having us. No problem. Great to have you guys on again. And fun fact, Dylan and Shyla actually attended Vegas Urban Services with me, VUSP for short. That's right. Yeah I've done it like three times in a row last year not this year last year was my favorite For personal reason well yeah kind of I mean, it's all it's all a great time, but our main purpose for this this trip is to
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Get to know about Las Vegas a little more like learning about the city other than like the stereotypical details people like to talk about here and there about different parts of Las Vegas and we're gonna go into more details with it so as always my main man case got my questions we're gonna be asking Mike I'm gonna be asking my guests so let's get the black ball rolling so what were your guys's
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original expectations before attending Vegas Urban Services, like when Kevin or whoever it was that told you about it, what were your original expectations of the trip?
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All right, I'll go first.
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I'd say, in fact, it was actually Dominic Basile that told me about it, and he's like, yeah, I think this would be really good for you to do. Like, he was trying to convince me to do it, and I'm like, all right, I'll look into it, and then there was just one weekend I was like,
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this was like a weekend before like, we're supposed to do the Urban Service Project. I'm like out of town that weekend, and suddenly I get this text from Dom, and he's like, hey Dylan, are you gonna do the Vegas Urban Service Project?
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I'm like, I better get on it before registration closes. So I got on it, and I'm like, alright, I guess I'm going and once I got there I thought for some reason I just thought it was gonna be like we actually do like a community service type like where we actually go through like actually doing some work for like whether it's like cleaning up the streets or whatever that kind of stuff but it was more like, you know,
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talking to people, learning about the neighborhoods that we went into, and just learning like, what more there is to the city of Vegas than what we're used to.
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Well, fun fact, two or three years ago, I remember, oh, VASA 2022 it was, when we actually did a little bit of that cleaning up to a neighborhood where the club one of the club Christ locations are I remember me and one of my friends this one daddy Joseph was in town aka Joseph Lito one of our old staff members love that man yeah and uh yeah we were in the neighborhood there was there was an
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apartment complex for one of the club Christ locations are we were cleaning up trash for in that particular part of the neighborhood. What about you, Shiloh? What were your thoughts, your original thoughts?
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Um, well I knew it was going to be hot and I wasn't going to want to be in the heat, but it was actually hotter than I expected. And then, same as Dylan, I thought we were going to be doing more like tangible things to like help people. When I think of like, um, like a mission ship, even if it's in Vegas I think of more being more active and doing things to help people in more tangible ways than just talking so that
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was my initial expectation yeah it was hot it was hot during that trip I'll never forget the first day it was me and you going out walking around we went somewhere we were cooking up a storm it was like brutal that day like I'm like oh my gosh. This is why I don't go outside often during the summer We yeah, we were reduced to food like we might as well have been food for What's his name? Rest in peace to Spidey buddy, but we might as well have become food for him
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Like it was it was in the hundreds all right yeah, it was typical like June weather.
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Yeah.
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Sorry, I was checking the time, but what were some unexpected challenges that you guys have
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faced? Some unexpected challenges that I faced, so I was kind of going through like some rough things like during my, during that week just in my personal life, like I was just going through like, you know, some of the friendships that I have having to go from seeing them every day to now long distance friendships. And also whenever we're on any of our inner varsity retreats, I've always like this squeaky clean record of no temptations on any of our retreats whatsoever, no matter how tempted
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I am. And it's always taken everything in me not to be tempted. During this one, I of course have a flip up and I'm like, and the moment that the flip up actually happened, I'm like, why can't I'm like, great. Now my squeaky clean record is gone. And on top of that, I'm like something's got to be done about it and when it happened to me like I started just like open up to
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people about it like opening up to people that I trust and I'm close with so like help me through it I'm like let's just happen I don't know what to do like in the moment like okay I felt good afterwards but then like after the temptation issues that I was fighting one night It led to me having a really bad like sleepless night I couldn't get any sleep that night. My brain was just so like blank empty I couldn't think straight
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It's just a lot that happened to me that night
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Now that you mentioned like the whole sleep clean thing that um, that's that um, that's a good reminder of the gospel I'm gonna get to that now because I've noticed in past shows I've Forgotten to bring that up. So how do you get saved first Corinthians 15 1 through 4? Christ died on the cross for our past present and future sins He was buried in rose again on the third day you believe that you are safe seal and sanctified the Holy Spirit will Lead you he'll guide you
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He'll he will help you in yes, like we're gonna we're definitely gonna have temptations. We're definitely gonna mess up. So, unfortunately our flesh likes to convince us that we can keep everything squeaky clean, but we mess up, we mess up a lot, I mess up a lot, pastors mess up a lot, nobody's perfect, because Christ paid the price for all of that,
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for all of our sins, past, present, and future. Yes, we do want to honor God with all of our heart, with everything that we can, even what we can with the Holy Spirit. Anyway, uh, Shyla, what were some unexpected challenges you faced? Um, for me, I think everything was more personal.
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I didn't expect to feel so convicted in the trip. I thought I would actually, like, feel better about myself, because I'm helping the community. And I actually started to feel worse about myself during the trip, because of how convicted I felt. So I would say that was a really big challenge. I was just dealing with a lot of emotions
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and trying to process a lot of things during that trip. I felt different my first time after attending FUS for the first time. I had the thought that people chose to be homeless and stuff like that. While going through the program, like the manuscripting, the Bible study, listening to the speakers, there is like so much that's out of some that's out of someone's control. Like people do things
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that cause things happen to people that cause their situations. Or it just happens out of nowhere, like when we least expect and people want to like stereotype them. Totally. And it's kind of funny, because I was, I remember walking down a couple of times, and I'm the type of person, I tend to get defensive,
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not like physically, but always be ready to act in case someone does something, but none of that actually happened in the areas that we were in. Like, I remember people were more friendly, or some were willing to talk and share their stories. They were
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they were sad unfortunately for the most part.
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I was talking to one homeless man like during one of the days and he talked about like some of the stuff that he sees like on the streets like I won't go too much into detail about because it's like you know some of it might not be appropriate for our young viewers out there but he talked about like some of like the gang related stuff that happens on the streets, the some of the deaths that happen on the street, like actually close up in person, even fights that can break out like and
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it's usually like at night that it happens and that had me realizing it's like wow I just I didn't think I mean I always knew that stuff like that does happen on the streets but hearing it like from a personal perspective and all that I'm like whoa it this it's real like it's I'm like having like pinch myself I'm like my dreaming earth is reality and it
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was a reality. So what were some things that you learned about the city the population and other details about Las Vegas during during Vegas Urban Services.
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What I learned about the city during that time, just the fact that we have people that are living on our streets, homeless, and the fact that nobody seems to want to do anything about it or have some compassion for them.
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That is my pet peeve.
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Oh my gosh, it gets on my nerves. It's like we care more about being greedy and with inflation going on, the cost of living right now is so unaffordable to the point it's like, to even like be able to afford to live anywhere right now, you have to make a huge like certain amount, like it used to not be that way, but over time now the inflation that we're living through right now is just getting much worse and it's
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leading to people being homeless, it's leading to people who can't even afford, just can't even afford living, and the fact that no one bats an eye to like literally have some consideration and maybe do something to help the situation. They're instead focusing on stuff that's like,
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so like not even relevant, or even focus on stuff that we could care less about, maybe actually help the homeless people or the people who are struggling, stop focusing on all the crazy and other nonsense out there. How about have some compassion?
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Facts. What about you, Shreya? I think I realized for me personally
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and just people in general,
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how we stereotype homeless people and like how false that stereotype is. I don't think I talked to one rude homeless person and like their their character like they're really sweet people. I mean not all of them. You have like your crackheads and stuff and a lot of them they wanted to have conversations. They want to be seen. They don't want to be ignored and like it was really uplifting to see that side of the city that people usually try to avoid and that they give a bad name to but like it
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doesn't deserve it because even though there might be bad there's still good in it and people are still people even if they're homeless sometimes they can't control circumstances and that doesn't mean that we should ignore them or Have a perception about them that is false I'll never forget the last the last day of
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The second my second and third trips that I went to or a recent one this year and last year we were on this trip for the final day and the tourists that we had to talk to like some of them did talk I ran in I remember I ran into like a Scotsman and people from Scotland and they they were they were down they were down to talk for a little bit and it was mainly people from abroad that were willing to talk otherwise nobody wanted to talk but it's like a it's like a huge difference it's like a huge difference I don't know if you guys noticed that yeah I got more responses from homeless people
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than tourists same here Vegas locals they didn't really want to talk they're
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actually rude yeah actually there was like a but there was an interaction that I had with them because when we were hosting that barbecue for the people who live within that apartment complex that we went to oh there we keep this one clean yeah I'm gonna try to keep this one clean oh my friend and I we knocked on the door and this guy came out he's like what that do you want and I'm like oh my gosh okay okay I'm like quickly like slowly like backing up because I was trying to make
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because I was backing up in case he tried to like kill me or rob me or something I'm like no no no we're with the we're with the church we're just put it on a bed he's like oh okay sorry my bad I'm like okay that was close it was oh my gosh Jabri I can't even tell you like how
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like scared I was for my life in that moment it's a it's not it's not funny just know the way he don't we he thought what he told me it was funny
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Yeah, it's it's like the way like if you like just hearing the story may sound funny But in reality having a deal with it. It was really not funny in the moment if anything was pretty scary
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Yeah, I'm sure I was
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Like I and then after that I just had all this adrenaline rush me. I'm like oh my gosh. I'm like, like it was, but he ended up being pretty cool. But when he explained like why he was the way he was, I'm like, okay, makes sense. You know, there's some, just one of those areas where it's like, it can get pretty bad.
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Yeah. Do you happen to view Las Vegas
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from a different perspective post-VUSP? I think, yeah, yes and no.
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I mean, before going to VUSP, okay, I always knew like, okay, there's some things going on in Vegas that that's always been like the case, like people living on the streets or some of the human trafficking situations and just the way some of the events or some of the stuff that goes on within the city, I always knew that was always going on, but then doing Vegas Urban Surf's project that
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week, I'm like realizing it's much worse than I thought before going into it. And then just hearing stories from people up close and in person, it was just, it hit differently. I remember like I had a few nights where I was about ready to cry because it's just hearing about all this stuff. I'm like Wow, it just I never knew it was that bad of a reality Yeah, it really hits you. What about you Shiloh?
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Yeah, I definitely agree with Dylan
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I do see Vegas in a new light one because of what Dylan said like just how bad things are but also like there's also a good side of Vegas that people don't realize I mean I still don't like this state or the city but it's not all bad and I can understand why people like Vegas.
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I think for me it's like a you know don't get me wrong I mean I am like 702 for life. I'm 702 even till the day I die. I love Vegas, but you know, I can see why some don't like it, why some like it. I'm kind of like everywhere,
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and I'm saying that as someone who is gonna be living in Vegas even up till the day I die, even. Like I have no desire to live anywhere else or leave Vegas.
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Me either.
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Like, similar to Shrella, I am a beach person, like more of a tropical person, but I can't put up with disasters, especially the hurricanes that have been hitting and the people not even trying to do anything to help out the victims.
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And, yeah, it's crazy. Like, similar to what Dylan said about the homeless people, they're kind of doing the same thing. You kinda gotta do your research. I'll make a conspiracy theorist if you want. I can care less. I definitely view Vegas more differently
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after doing Vegas Urban Services at least three times in a row. Like you gotta, you have to explore a place before you come to conclusions about it because you can't judge a book by its cover like that's the most popular saying. Never judge a book by its cover.
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And it seems like nowadays people are quick to judge a book by its cover. Oh, definitely.
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Like they take one good look at it and they're like, nope, not doing this. Yeah, Vegas is more than just Sin City, guys. It's not that bad.
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I mean, pretty much every city in this planet is sin city. The whole world is sin. But Christ died for our sins, so we're going to some positive stuff right now. What are some things that you enjoyed during the trip?
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I think my favorite part of the trip was actually walking up and down the strip as a Vegas local, learn more about like the different places that are within the city and also, um, seeing like some of the activity that goes down on the strip because, you know, I'm the type of guy, you know, as someone who lives here full-time, I usually don't go on the strip very often. It's more of a tourist thing. We're excursionists. Yeah, but I think just doing that walk, it helped
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me to like also like clear my mind of like things that went on and also just like it was one of those really fun activities because I got to be around people got to be around so many different things that I typically don't get to see like on a daily basis
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what about you Shaila? I think for me it's seeing the way people light up when you speak to them or like see them light up when you do little things like as Ellen was mentioning earlier, we went to an apartment complex and had a barbecue and the whole time I was just playing with the kids and it just brought me so much joy to see them have so much fun because I can only imagine what they're going through and some of them told me their stories and I was like, as a kid, I would be like having mental breakdowns and they're over here just so carefree and smiling. I think my
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favorite part of that was two of the girls painted my face and they turned me into a smurf. I love kids but they're so dishonest. Everyone kept telling me that I looked good and I'm like you guys I know you painted my whole face blue I know I don't look good but they're so sweet I just loved I think that was my favorite part definitely Playing with the kids and just seeing them light up my favorite part was
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The strip as well, but mainly last year because this year I kind of had a bad experience. There was a lady who's Who was quick to underestimate me saying? Tell me like that's a sign like I don't think so Typical New Yorkers. This is like wait. This is like on the strip or yeah, we were talking if me and my the person I was pairing up with she and I were talking to and I'm like thinking to myself like
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You typical New Yorkers you guys want to be rude. It's not everybody if you're from New York No, I don't think you guys this was just someone that you guys talked to yeah, and she was just kind of she was She was setting me up like, I'd rather people ask me about my vision rather than just randomly make assumptions.
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And people these days are quick to make assumptions. Like, I've gotten assumptions made about me, which I'm, it's to the point where a few times I've had to denounce some of those assumptions. I'm like, excuse me, I'm not what you think I am. There's more to me than you think,
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or no, I'm like the total opposite of what you think I am. Yeah, that's what I was thinking, but the Holy Spirit, thank God,
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the Holy Spirit was heavily, he kept me heavily guarded. There was one instance where I had to walk away for like a few seconds for something different, but I'm like, thank you. Holy Spirit. Like why can't you do this to me all the time? I know I'm not gonna be perfect, but at least do what you did during that time
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Please please please cuz I wanna I want to honor God at all times Like feeling the Holy Spirit that time like I wish it was 24-7 even stronger.
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So would you would you go back? Yeah I'd go back because you know it taught me a lot that week you know I learned to actually appreciate and be more grateful of the things I have in my life because you know not everybody has that stuff, and we tend to take a lot of things for granted, because when we do that, the stuff we take for granted, sometimes not everybody has those opportunities
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or can even get access to those opportunities like the ones we have, and I've seen people who actually have access to those things that were like super privileged, who just take it for granted and are ungrateful they just think they're like oh yeah I'm gonna get that or no I don't want that but it's
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like okay maybe actually have some compassion for those who may not have access to that because they will do it within a heartbeat if they want access
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to that in a heartbeat they will do it.
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Oh yes, they will.
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We have to remember that not everybody has the opportunities that we have individually. We do tend to take things for granted. I can't even imagine what the people on the East Coast are dealing with right now from those hurricanes.
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And there's another one coming, and the whole Category 16. I had a feeling for seven years that would happen, but I didn't know when it would. I'm not a prophet, I don't claim to know the future, it's just a feeling I had.
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Shiloh, would you go back? If I had the chance, I would definitely go back.
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I think it's a great experience. While you learn more about Vegas, you also learn more about yourself, and you also learn more about the people around you. There's a lot of new people you can meet and grow with and it's like It's a very good bonding moment for people. You don't know you aren't close with just going through that experience with them
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So I think I would go back if I had the chance
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Me personally if I'm able to I would go back Given the fact I'll be an alumni. I mean Positive Jesus doesn't come back by then. I mean I would hope to have like stronger connections with students from out of state. I feel like, I don't know, they have beef with me or something. Nah, just kidding.
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But anyway, yeah. It's a good experience. It is tough, like especially walking out in the heat. Vegas student or student from California and Your school ends up coming here to Vegas I'd recommend bring at least
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64 inches to like a gallon of water with ice because you will you will need it you will need it and Fun fact for my for another show that I'm that I'm planning to host Two people who went to the Vegas Urban Services were... They also went to Bosnia for a global... for a program...
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for another program that InterVarsity hosts. So we'll be talking about Bosnia with them. So... Again, the Gospel. Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your past, present, and future sins, that he was buried and rose again on the third day.
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And I want to thank you for joining us again. Thank you. Until next time, Black Walls Gotta Mount.
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so so so so Thanks for watching!
Transcribed with Cockatoo