Monday, July 4, 2011

LDP

What is LDP anyway?

LDP stands for Leadership Development Program and is the university level of holistic development that follows Compassion’s CDSP (child development sponsorship program).

The LDP mission statement reads:

In partnership with the Church worldwide, Compassion’s Leadership Development Program launches outstanding graduates from our Child Sponsorship Program into their full, God-given potential. They are equipped with a university degree, mentored in their Christian life and instilled with a passion to serve that transforms their communities and nations.

Have you ever met an LDP or former LDP student? Have you had the opportunity to hear them speak and tell their story?

I have been blessed to meet several, and let me tell you, they are some of the most impressive people I have ever met. Compassion is thorough when it comes to training these young men and women and developing their leadership skills.

myself with Daniel and David, LDP students in Kenya


with Roxanna, LDP student in Peru

I used to question the value of sponsoring an LDP student. At $300 a month, it’s a huge commitment and I couldn’t help but think of the 7 younger children I could sponsor through CDSP for the same amount of money.

Then I met Alex Mutagubya from Uganda. Currently living in Portland, OR, Alex and his wife came to the US to pursue degrees from Multnomah University and Seminary. Alex shared with me how LDP launched him into ministry and continues to shape his life today. (you’ll hear more from Alex tomorrow, so be sure to come back!)

the Mutagubya family

Shortly after meeting Alex, I began corresponding with David ~ an LDP student in Peru. I’ve shared some of his story before, and it’s obvious LDP is having a big impact on his life. In August of 2010 I had the opportunity to travel to Peru and meet David. Again, I was impressed by his spiritual maturity, through letters, he continues to challenge, inspire and encourage me in my faith.

with David in Peru

When you sponsor an LDP student, you are truly investing in a future leader. Take Margaret Makhoha for example. A former LDP student in Uganda, Margaret was recently elected to the Ugandan Parliament. Another example is my friend Alex. He will soon be returning to Uganda to pastor a church near Kampala where he will minister and lead the people of his community.

Although the qualification and selection process is rigorous, there is no shortage of good, qualified candidates for LDP. There is, however, a shortage of sponsors.

If you decide to invest in a future leader, you will receive a student file folder that includes a student profile, personal testimony, university profile and country profile. You will also receive an extremely informative booklet Compassion has put together to further explain the LDP program. And finally, you will receive a beautiful frame to display your student’s photo.

Do yourself a favor, learn more about the Leadership Development Program. Visit Compassion’s website and search on line for stories and interviews. You won’t be disappointed. This is the final step of Compassion’s holistic development, and it’s quite possibly the most important one.

Do you have experience with the LDP program? If so, please share in the comments.

Comments (4)

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On my trip to India I was able to meet and talk with several LDP students. They were all really amazing individuals, but the one who really stands out in my mind is named Daniel.

It was our 11th and last night in India, and I think we were all so drained and emotional after our last day of ministry and the sadness of leaving the next morning, we forgot that LDP students were joining us for dinner (therefore I did not have my camera, and regret not getting a picture with Daniel)...

Daniel sat at our table, and we were all a bit melancholy, but he was quick to take the leadership and start conversation. He took interest in each of our stories, and told us his own. He had such a loving and lively personality, we were all in tears from laughter by the end of dinner. He truly was a leader, and we easily became instant friends. Before he left he asked for my birthday, and promised he would remember me and pray for me on all of my birthdays. He is a Valentines day baby, which makes it easy for me to remember to pray for him as well :) He really ended up ministering to each of us at his table, and I truly believe he is going to do mighty things for God.
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
What a great story. Like you witnessed, I have been amazed at how these fine young men and women minister to us.

Matthew 25:31-46
Don't be a goat! Sponsor a child today.
<a href="http://www.compassion.com/jillfoley
www.compassion.com/jillfoley<br />
---
Our LDP student is in her first year in India...I was really hoping to form a relationship with her, but she has only written 2 letters since October...I know they're busy, but I'm a little discouraged. I know if can be a cultural difference also...however in those two letters, I have found her to have such a servant's heart :)
1 reply · active 717 weeks ago
At least you've gotten a couple letters. We haven't gotten any from Cilia in Honduras yet, though we just sponsored her in May. David, our correspondent LDP in Peru, writes to us reciprocally...I'm wondering how much of his promptness in writing back is due to the fact that we met last year.

I won't even tell you about our Haitian LDP student - not a great experience when it comes to letter writing - and it eventually led us to discontinue our sponsorship of her. Hopefully that was an isolated incident.

Matthew 25:31-46
Don't be a goat! Sponsor a child today.
<a href="http://www.compassion.com/jillfoley
www.compassion.com/jillfoley<br />
---

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