Nobody is out of reach of Jesus Christ.

Several weeks ago, we went with the other senior couples to visit a furniture factory at the request of President Ignatius, one of the branch presidents.

You might think that is wildly out of the purview of senior missionaries, but not in this case.

Some of the workers posing with a couch they made

The workers take orders and within a week they deliver the finished cabinets, sofas, tables and chairs. The workmanship is good and the prices are very reasonable, even by Rwanda standards.

There are woodworkers making cabinets, tables and chairs, high quality drum sticks, framing sofas and upholsterers finishing with sewing and stapling.

There are no walls to the factory. It is a tin-roofed shed. While we were there, a cloudburst was so noisy that we had to shout to be heard by the person beside us.

There are several things going on in this picture. The foreground is the "expensive" pinus (It looked and smelled like Pine) wood. Each 4x6 beam costs a whopping $3.90. (I'm not sure he said what he meant to say. I can hardly believe it's that cheap.) But the wood in the background is the cheap Cartus wood suitable for invisible structural pieces for sofas and upholstered chairs. In the far back is an open air restroom... I didn't ask.

Some of us asked for a tour, and the workers were eager to explain what was happening in each section.

They thanked US over and over. It was a little embarrassing, but we told them, "You're welcome" each time. We DO donate to the Humanitarian fund of the Church. But I felt the weight of the badge I wear. I/We represent the Church even though we didn't have anything to do with the decision to help those people. The same name that is on our badges is on the page posted in their facility indicating who donated all the equipment. Most of the equipment is permanently identified so it can't be stolen and sold.

The equipment is AWESOME! There are industrial-sized table saws, planers, a lathe, a powerful router in a table, scroll saws, band saws, sewing machines and on and on.

The wood chips are piled high and the sawdust is collected in huge bales to be sold for other purposes.

Sawdust was my dad's favorite "cologne". I thought of him as I saw all the projects. He would have LOVED it! I'm a woodworker myself so I was definitely predisposed to like these men.

Here's the story as told to me by Gaspard Harerimana. His nickname is "Gorilla," he said, "because my companions think I look like a gorilla."(Not true.)

"We were in prison or a rehabilitation center. We had been sent to those places to get off of drugs. We had used the kind (he indicated smoking) and the kind for the blood. (He indicated injecting into the arm.) We drank too much alcohol and we were killers and robbing."

The eagerness evident in his demeanor and his earnest words struck a chord in my heart.

"What changed you?" I asked.

"Jesus Christ! He saved us. He saves all of us!" Gaspard pressed his hands to heart. "Jesus brought us out of those places. He gave us this place where we can work and earn money for our families. Now we don't have drugs. We change. Jesus changed us. (He pressed his clasped hands to his heart, a familiar gesture of gratitude.)

President Ignatius explained that an NGO (non-governmental organization) wanted to build a furniture factory to employ rehabilitated criminals. They asked the Church to donate the equipment. After careful investigation into the legitimacy of the NGO, the Church went ahead.

Sister Bird asked if she could buy some handmade drumsticks for her son who is a drummer. They hurried over and made her a pair as a gift.

They explained all the operations and how much it meant to them to have a job.

As is usually the case, when there is anything interesting going on, they request a photo. (We've even been asked to be in a photo for a branch council meeting!)

It's a preparation day, so we're not all in missionary attire. Muzungus on left are Elders, Ensign, Bird and Stephenson. Kneeling Sister Bird, in the maroon teeshirt, me in the yellow shirt and on the far right Sister Ensign, and Sister and Elder Craven. Unfortunately, I think President Ignatius is taking the picture. "Gorilla" is just right of center on the back row with a green shirt under his tan jumpsuit.

The sturdy chair in the foreground is waiting to be finished. The table that goes with the set was already finished to a satiny smoothness.

See I'm holding a hand-carved wooden gorilla. My new friend Gaspard said he carved it himself. He gifted it to me in gratitude of my earnest interest, I suppose. I didn't see any sign of woodcarvings for sale, so I think it was just a kind gesture.

For those of you who know me well, you know that my thumbs don't match. My left hand has a shorter, stubbier thumb...Highly suitable for holding a gorilla, don't you think?

But I love my "Gorilla!" I will always remember who gave it and why. A wonderful, (but unusual) memento from our mission!