Pastor Bob Mapemba and His VISION Bob Mapemba first contacted us in 2001 as he sought to serve his community and needed help. In August ,2003, Chris Knott and Derek Savage, an itinerant preacher, visited him for the first time in what was a memorable trip. Bob, aged 33, lives in Salima, Malawi, with his wife, Blessings, 23, and their two children, Jollam, aged 4, and Rowenna, aged 1. They live a simple life. Bob feels called by God to share the love of God, uniquely revealed in Christ, to adults and children alike. Bob has had no formal religious education. He was born into a Christian family, but failed to continue education after his father died when Bob was only 15. There were five brothers and sisters to look after. Two of his sisters and his mother died in the 1990s, leaving him to be responsible for the remaining children of his parents. He was brought up in an Assembly of God Church and this gave him a vision to minister in many areas. Currently he meets with about 70/80 on Sunday afternoons at the site of the derelict school. He has a big vision for the work as resources are made available and he has office space and a rainproof meeting place. Beyond the immediate needs of education, there is an increase in the number of orphans due to the pandemic disease of HIV/AIDS. Many children in the neighbourhood are without parents and abandoned. There is also an urgent need for an orphanage. In order to realise these dreams, there is a need to have office and meeting space attached to the school. This will be included in the project plans. Starfish sees itself as an enabler encouraging the local community to develop as it seeks to own its own future. Bob, Blessings, the children and some of the team The Church family outside the new building