{"id":3577,"date":"2017-06-16T09:54:21","date_gmt":"2017-06-16T14:54:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/?p=3577"},"modified":"2017-06-16T10:02:18","modified_gmt":"2017-06-16T15:02:18","slug":"educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/2017\/06\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Educated, Inspired and Challenged in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I was <strong>educated, inspired and challenged<\/strong> at the Consultation for African partners of Covenant World Relief (CWR) that I attended in May.\u00a0 Representatives came from 2 partners Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), eastern DRC and me from NW DRC, 2 partnerships in Kenya, South Sudan\/Ethiopia plus CWR and Serve Globally in Chicago.\u00a0 The 30 attendees were hosted by Zimele Wethu Foundation in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/group-photo-800x600.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3578\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/group-photo-800x600-300x187.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/group-photo-800x600-300x187.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/group-photo-800x600-768x479.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/group-photo-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>EDUCATED<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I was educated about how the other partners are working to empower people, particularly women, and address felt needs within each of their contexts. \u00a0Each partner\u2019s presentation was exceptional and could merit its own blog entry. \u00a0Some highlights:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 30px\">In the NW provinces of Cameroon SIRDEP and Njinikejem have started village savings and loans (VSL) groups and women\u2019s clusters to address what had been seen as a hopeless situation of poverty.\u00a0 Household incomes are increasing.\u00a0 Women are saving, starting small businesses and repaying their loans.<\/li>\n<li style=\"padding-left: 30px\">CEFA in Western CAR addresses food security through increasing both the quantity, quality and diversity of food produced.\u00a0 After experimentation and trials on the experimental and demonstration farm the best varieties and practices are taught local farmers who come to the farm.\u00a0 Local partner coops contribute to the distribution of the best practices and seeds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/CEFA-bountiful-harvests.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-3580\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/CEFA-bountiful-harvests-300x234.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/CEFA-bountiful-harvests-300x234.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/CEFA-bountiful-harvests-768x599.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/CEFA-bountiful-harvests.jpg 831w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jitokeze in NW Kenya is using the Results Based Management (RBM) strategy to evaluate and improve the projects which address food, water and income security in one of the dryer areas of Kenya.<\/li>\n<li>HOLD-DRC works in and around Goma, DRC where they provide counseling and pair education to women and girls suffering from the many traumas inflicted on them by the years of war and unrest in the area.<\/li>\n<li>Zimele Wethu has started numerous self-help groups (SHGs) in the Zulu communities living in the area around Piertermaritzburg.\u00a0 These groups, mostly composed of women, are bringing change to the lives of their members as well as working together to improve their communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_3581\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/counting-the-savings-800x600.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3581\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-3581\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/counting-the-savings-800x600-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/counting-the-savings-800x600-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/counting-the-savings-800x600-768x576.jpg 768w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/counting-the-savings-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3581\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Transparent accounting by counting the money before everyone.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>As Zimele Wethu was our host I learned a LOT about the sad history of apartheid and the long-term negative impact of forced migration of the Zulu people. \u00a0Zimele Wethu\u2019s approach with the SHGs is truly restoring community and a positive spirit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_3589\" style=\"width: 460px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/DSC01212-800x600.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3589\" class=\" wp-image-3589\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/DSC01212-800x600-300x86.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"129\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/DSC01212-800x600-300x86.jpg 300w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/DSC01212-800x600.jpg 612w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-3589\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">self-help group meeting in a rondavel, a traditional Zulu home<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tanda &amp; Mazuma dancing\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/221868762?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>A cluster of self-help groups celebrating<\/p>\n<p><strong>INSPIRED<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I always find it inspiring to be with other collaborators in community development.\u00a0 I learn from what they are doing and reflect on ways I can apply what I\u2019ve learned in our Congo context.\u00a0 The impact of the VSLs in Cameroon and the SHGs in South Africa is huge. \u00a0We visited numerous SHGs, heard testimonies, visited gardens and local initiatives.\u00a0 Testimonies from participants revealed the mentality changes taking place as they have begun to recognize their local resources, take ownership of their development and not wait for someone else.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-1-800x600-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3588\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-1-800x600-1-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-1-800x600-1-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-1-800x600-1-220x220.jpg 220w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-1-800x600-1-450x450.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-tomatoes-800x600.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3587\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-tomatoes-800x600-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-tomatoes-800x600-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-tomatoes-800x600-220x220.jpg 220w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/garden-in-Willofontain-tomatoes-800x600-450x450.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>The gardens above were one self-help group&#8217;s project to improve their own food security and make some money. \u00a0The members rotated working.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>CHALLENGED<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The extensive research and reflection by Dr. Audrey Matimelo and Xolani Zondi on the culture and history have provided a solid foundation for the SHG approach.\u00a0 Even though this was the subject of Audrey\u2019s dissertation, I am challenged and inspired by the extensive work on the local context and the long term vision for a different and better future.\u00a0 I ponder, who has done or is doing such research and reflection on the issues facing the population in the NW Congo? \u00a0As Audrey and Xolani shared I could see a clear vision for a future in which the local population impacts local policy making and no longer subject to the whims of the politicians.\u00a0 We also encountered women who are now standing up for themselves and not afraid to speak out.\u00a0 The whole Gospel is being lived out in these communities.<\/p>\n<p><em>The pictures below are of basic computer classes that Thanda (on Right in group picture) and her self-help group arranged in her home. The girls were taking their final test when we visited and those in the picture outside were waiting their turn.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-students-waiting-for-test-800x600.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3583\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-students-waiting-for-test-800x600-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-students-waiting-for-test-800x600-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-students-waiting-for-test-800x600-220x220.jpg 220w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-students-waiting-for-test-800x600-450x450.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-class-testing-800x600.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-3582\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-class-testing-800x600-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-class-testing-800x600-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-class-testing-800x600-220x220.jpg 220w, http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/computer-class-testing-800x600-450x450.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-report-this\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand?moderation_action=report_form&object_type=post&object_id=3577&width=250&height=300\" class=\"thickbox\" title=\"Report This Post\">Report This Post<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I was educated, inspired and challenged at the Consultation for African partners of Covenant World Relief (CWR) that I attended in May.\u00a0 Representatives came from 2 partners Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), eastern DRC and me from NW DRC, 2 partnerships in Kenya, South Sudan\/Ethiopia plus CWR and Serve Globally in Chicago.\u00a0 The 30 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3577","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Educated, Inspired and Challenged in South Africa - Ekstrands in Congo<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/2017\/06\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Educated, Inspired and Challenged in South Africa - Ekstrands in Congo\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I was educated, inspired and challenged at the Consultation for African partners of Covenant World Relief (CWR) that I attended in May.\u00a0 Representatives came from 2 partners Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), eastern DRC and me from NW DRC, 2 partnerships in Kenya, South Sudan\/Ethiopia plus CWR and Serve Globally in Chicago.\u00a0 The 30 [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/2017\/06\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Ekstrands in Congo\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-06-16T14:54:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2017-06-16T15:02:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ekstrand\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2017\/06\/group-photo-800x600-300x187.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Pete &amp; Cindy Ekstrand\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Pete &amp; Cindy Ekstrand\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Pete &amp; Cindy Ekstrand\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/08990b6f91da9939c5c3b5649490a92e\"},\"headline\":\"Educated, Inspired and Challenged in South Africa\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-06-16T14:54:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-06-16T15:02:18+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":739,\"commentCount\":2,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/group-photo-800x600-300x187.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/\",\"name\":\"Educated, Inspired and Challenged in South Africa - Ekstrands in Congo\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/group-photo-800x600-300x187.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-06-16T14:54:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-06-16T15:02:18+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/08990b6f91da9939c5c3b5649490a92e\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/group-photo-800x600-300x187.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/group-photo-800x600-300x187.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/2017\\\/06\\\/educated-inspired-challenged-south-africa\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Educated, Inspired and Challenged in South Africa\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/\",\"name\":\"Ekstrands in Congo\",\"description\":\"Glimpses, profound and mundane, into our life\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/blogs.covchurch.org\\\/ekstrand\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/08990b6f91da9939c5c3b5649490a92e\",\"name\":\"Pete &amp; 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