“LOVE LOUDER THAN RUMORS”

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."      Proverbs 18:21

Our mission partnership grew stronger as we nurtured a group of newly baptized youth. Every evening, we trained them not just in spiritual disciplines but also in leadership, teamwork, and practical skills like knot-tying, marching, and song leading. We were more than just a group—we had become a family.

Every night, I reminded them: Seek the Holy Spirit. The enemy will not rest, and one day, you will be tested. I thought those challenges would come much later—but they came much sooner than expected.

One evening, we were playing a lighthearted game called tickle-tickle or gitik-gitik in Bisaya. It was our way of bonding—brothers and sisters in Christ laughing. But that laughter was misinterpreted. A neighbor overheard us and began spreading rumors—accusing us of being too loud, and worse, questioning the purity of our relationships. The rumors spread fast, and before I could even process what was happening, the youth began pulling away. Some were hurt. Others were angry. Many stopped coming to church.

I was devastated. I felt betrayed, misunderstood, and angry— I wanted to confront the person behind it all. But in that moment, the Holy Spirit gently whispered, “Is that how Jesus would respond?” That whisper changed everything. When we pray for patience, God doesn’t hand it easily—He allows trials that grow us. So I knelt down, asking Him to replace my bitterness with grace and to give our neighbor a heart that speaks love, not rumor.

That night, I surrendered everything. I remembered: "If the devil seems far from you, maybe you’re not a threat. But if he’s close and fighting hard—it means you're doing something right."

Later that evening, we attended a crusade in our old mission area, and my heart was filled watching familiar faces serve joyfully in the ministry. When I came home, I received a message from one of the youth. They asked for forgiveness—for lashing out in hurt. I reminded them that this is why we always pray for the Holy Spirit—because the enemy is always working.

One by one, they returned. I’ve learned that rumors can shake us. They can scatter people and silence joy. But when we respond in the Spirit and not in the flesh, love can still be louder. God is still able to restore what was broken. And in the end, His truth always stands.

Name: Hans Christian Polistico | 1000MM 63rd Batch 

Hometown: Loreto, Dinagat Islands 

Mission Field : Mansumbil, Brgy. Tagukon, Kabankalan City