Elder Patrick Kearon Joyfully Returns to the Philippines

On Wednesday, May 21, Elder Kearon met again with Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of the Diocese of Kalookan at San Roque Cathedral compound in Caloocan City. Together, the two faith leaders ministered to 250 parolees and former detainees participating in the diocese’s Kaagapay Ministry Project, a community-based drug rehabilitation program. Elder Kearon led in the donation of Church-published emotional resilience materials as well as food and hygiene kits to the participants.

“It was wonderful to see Cardinal David again,” Elder Kearon beamed, “he is constantly caring for those who might be forgotten.” In turn, Cardinal David expressed appreciation for Elder Kearon and the Church’s efforts: “The elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been our partners in our many advocacies since I was still an auxiliary bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga, and serving as parish priest of Holy Rosary Parish.”

The following day, Elder Kearon handed over a donation to Caritas Manila, the Catholic Church’s humanitarian arm, to help support its Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP). The donation was received by Father Anton C. T. Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila.

At BYU-Pathway Worldwide Global Education Center (GEC) in Cebu City, Elder Kearon personally thanked government, education, business, and community leaders for their support of BYU–Pathway Worldwide program, a Church-sponsored initiative that provides affordable, gospel-centered higher education to young people. Elder Kearon was joined by Elder Nash and Bishop Caussé along with their wives at the leadership luncheon and was also interviewed by media representatives.

“We hope and pray that you will find us in union with you, in good causes,” Elder Kearon told the invited guests, “particularly in relation to education and community building.”

At a Focus Group Discussion the Kearons had with selected YSAs, Jhezrael Punzalan had a faith-strengthening experience. She strongly felt the Spirit as Sister Kearon reassured her of the Lord’s guidance after she expressed her fears and doubts about serving a mission. “Heavenly Father answers our questions in different and unique ways,” she affirms, “and mine came in a very special way.”

The next day, May 24, Elder Kearon, Elder Nash, and Bishop Causse conducted an Area Instruction Meeting with priesthood leaders from the Visayas region, providing inspired counsel and instruction to those gathered.

A spiritual highlight of Elder and Sister Kearon’s Cebu sojourn was when the couple climbed up a mountain to visit the Secuya family of Busay 2nd Ward, Cebu Stake. From their highland farm, the Secuyas traverse through rocky paths and streams just to reach public transportation that will take them to Church every Sunday.

“We were so happy to see Elder Kearon, he reminded us of Jesus Christ and His love,” said Mitzi Secuya, who with her family heartily welcomed the apostle and his wife. As the Kearons ministered to the family, son Ryle felt strengthened in his commitment to stay active: “We will continue to go to Church, for we know that the Lord loves us.”

“This is a beautiful memory we will have forever,” Elder Kearon imparted to the family at the conclusion of the visit. “You are beautiful, each of you,” Sister Kearon lovingly reassured the Secuya children, who had faced bullying for their situation.

“Elder Kearon told us that receiving revelation is like music. You feel it and go with it, then everything follows with regards to receiving revelation. If we don’t, then revelation will be hard to come by.”

John Tilman Lee
Busay 1st Ward, Cebu City Stake

In Davao City, Elder Kearon, Elder Nash, and Bishop Caussé held another Area Instruction Meeting, this time for priesthood leaders from the Mindanao region, at the Buhangin meetinghouse.

The Kearons later interacted with some 500 YSAs during a Focus Group Discussion and devotional. “Breathe in His love and peace, breathe out all the bad stuff that don’t serve as well,” Sister Kearon felt inspired to share during the devotional. Elder Keron complemented his wife’s remark by counseling the young members not to let “your fear stop you and limit your opportunities to receive the blessings.”

After Julia Faye Lacre of Matina 2nd Ward, Davao Stake heard their messages, “it helped me exhale all the negative thoughts I had because of anxiety and fear,” and “it also reminded me of my worth in the sight of God.”

Elder and Sister Kearon had a special activity with students of Ma-a Central Elementary School, where they led in the turnover of newly installed water and electricity facilities. “This is a very special school,” Elder Kearon beamed, “we love you, and love the spirit and nature of your school.” The school compound is adjacent to the Davao Philippines Temple site.

On May 27, the Kearons were joined by Elder and Sister Strong in hosting an interfaith luncheon. “This is an event that celebrates a friendship, shared values, and a collective desire to promote peace and service,” Elder Strong highlighted as he greeted the different religious leaders gathered for the event. “Please don’t stop inviting us in every gathering you have, especially if you would like to dialogue with us,” Sultan Ubpon, chair of Islamic Studies at Ateneo de Davao University expressed in gratitude during his message.

“Elder and Sister Kearon taught me an important principle: sometimes the Lord directly shows us the answer, and other times He directs us to know the right path.”

Addison Katrin Miraflor
Buhangin 2nd Ward, Buhangin Stake

Elder Nash and Elder Kearon both spoke during a devotional at the Philippines Missionary Training Center (MTC) on May 29. “As we invite them to pray and read,” Elder Nash told the missionaries about those they will be teaching, “we allow them to make a connection with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.”

For Elder Tungpalan, “Elder Nash’s words hit my mind on how we play an important role to the lives of the people we teach.” As he thought of those he would be reaching out to in the Philippines Angeles Mission, he realized “how we play an important role in the lives of the people we teach, and that with the help of the Holy Ghost, we can make a spark in their journey towards the Savior.”

After Elder Kearon emphasized to the missionaries that “you are the message of joy that you will be bringing,” Sister Cinco was reminded of “the joy that I felt when I received the gospel, that it was a message of hope and comfort.” In her preparation to serve in Japan Tokyo South Mission, she added that the message “gave me the assurance that with the Lord, I can do all things.”

On Friday, May 30, Elder and Sister Kearon assisted Primary children in packing hygiene kits for less-fortunate children at the Las Piñas Stake Center. Elder Kearon shared that he was “very grateful to see such wonderful children showcase values of service,” and expressed hope that “more children of our church around the world are able to help and give that service to more people."

Those words brought back memories to nine-year-old Natalie Sumagpao: “I remembered that one Christmas, my family and I drove around to give food to kids on the streets. I’m grateful to be able to meet Elder and Sister Kearon, guiding us through service and bringing us closer to Jesus Christ.”

Another Primary participant, Kief Markus Tiu, felt blessed to converse with Elder Kearon, relating that “he emphasized the importance of serving others in the same way Jesus Christ did, and reminding me that Christ is the perfect example for all of us to follow.”

Later that day, Elder Kearon led a donation turnover ceremony at Elsie Gaches Village, a residential care facility for children with developmental impairments in Muntinlupa City. The Church’s generous donation included customized wheelchairs for individuals with cerebral palsy, hygiene kits, and essential supplies to support residents and staff.

The next day, Elder Kearon, Elder Nash, and Bishop Caussé, once again provided important leadership training at another Area Instruction Meeting, this time with priesthood leaders from all over the Luzon area.

Before leaving the Philippines, Elder Nash spoke to members of Valenzuela Stake during a special stake conference, touching on the importance of tithing by quoting Malachi 3:10: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it”

The quote reminded Marifi dela Cruz, Relief Society president of Meycauayan 1st Ward, of the time her family struggled financially. “I had a daughter who was in the mission field. We promised that we would pay full support for her mission, and we were faithful in living the law of tithing,” she recounts. “Eventually, we were able to overcome our struggles and receive the promised blessings of the Lord, as He truly opened the windows of heaven.”

“Elder Kearon said that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church of new beginnings. Heavenly Father knows that we will make mistakes; that is why we have our Savior Jesus Christ, so that we can come back to Him, no matter how many mistakes we’ve done.”

Elisha Kyle Canoy Nalangan
Matina 2nd Ward, Davao Stake

In addition to the events mentioned here, Elder Kearon also met with the Area Seventies and their wives, visited the Cebu and Davao temple sites, paid a courtesy visit at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and was interviewed by news portal Rappler. Elder Nash met with the mission leaders and missionaries of the Quezon City North Mission, held a My Plan conference with returned missionaries, and interacted with youth at an FSY conference in Tanay, Rizal, while Bishop Caussé toured the Alabang temple site and inspected Church facilities and production plants.