By Mario Leuang

A couple of weeks ago during Connection Group we gave everyone time to talk about things that were on their heart. Notably, Josh (who rarely speaks) said he had been reflecting on his life, as it was his birthday. He said he was looking back on how he got here and how blessed he has been. He talked about how he had become friends with Zach, Franky, and I during his freshman year at Iowa State. He moved into Linden dorm his sophomore year, growing in relationship with us as well as some other guys in our Connection Group. He moved off-campus his junior year, but moved back into Linden this year, his senior year, because of the impact that we had on his life. He said that he could see the influence that we have had on the whole floor simply because we leave our door open for people to come and hang out.

As he was talking, I almost cried. I could see all of the things that God has been doing on this floor over the last four years that Franky and I have been living here. Our first year on the floor there was so much godlessness and sin. The police had to come often and there were several alcohol and drug busts. People all over campus called our floor the “party floor.” I would introduce myself to someone, telling him or her where I lived and they would reply, “Second floor Linden? I hear that’s where the party’s at!”

Fast-forward to today, and we consistently have 17 or so guys in our Connection Group who want to come and grow in their walk with God alongside each other. All of them go to Salt together on Thursday as well. It really has become family.

I want to see what I see on this floor all around campus. I don’t know if I’m any good at leading, but I’m glad that I’m available and I know that even leaving your door open and loving on people will give them the opportunity to know Jesus. It can even transform a whole floor!