1^st order of window and door lumber called “Mugavu” arrived Friday. Amount shown represents 1/8^th of our actual “Phase 1” need.

It was legally cut near the Rwenzori Mountains (Eastern Uganda at the DRC border)…though it was farm grown, thus the mountain gorillas remain safe, the rains prevented the truck from getting within 2 miles of the source. So after using chain saws to cut down and rough cut the sizes shown the men carried around 250 - 12” x 2” x 7 foot and 25 - 12” x 2” x 14 foot pieces the two miles on their heads to the truck. Ironically the delivery truck lost a wheel 400 feet from the container shown. So using the ministries Toyota Hilux we loaded 19 - 7 footers at a time (or 6 – 14 footers) and moved them the remaining 400 feet. They were amazingly heavy…yes I helped carry, load and unload.

Depending on whom you ask it will take 3 months to 1 year to air dry. Since this is not nearly fast enough we will convert the container behind into a “charcoal & fan/natural air” kiln dryer. Hopefully this will drastically decrease that time.

The furnace will be built using some of the clay bricks that were not acceptable for construction. We will build it partly below ground level and the remaining parts, including the chimney, will be buried in a mound of dirt above ground. Air will naturally flow up hill (via a shallow brick lined tunnel) in order to fuel the charcoal fire inside.

The slightly inclined brick chimney will give the heat and smoke its only opportunity to escape the furnace; into the container.

Two holes will be cut at the far end of the container. They will be small enough such that a would-be thief cannot pull the timber out. It will also be small enough such that the two fans blowing the moisture out also cannot be taken. When there is no electricity, since the holes will be toward the containers top, nature should take its course.

A metal awning will be welded in place to keep the rains out.