|TOP|Survivors of the deadly Hurricane Katrina that hit the U.S. Gulf Coast last August are turning to Christ for hope and strength as they continue to rebuild their lives.

Christian organisation World Hope International has been working in partnership with local churches in the hurricane devastated areas to help people make a fresh start after the losses suffered in Katrina.

World Hope’s Debbie Hoover told Mission Network News that working through the local church has been a great strategy.

“Many people come to the church seeking help and seeking counselling, so we've been able to facilitate that a lot even through some of our more qualified volunteers who have expertise in that area.”

|AD|She added that many people were opening up to the Christian faith as a result of the work World Hope is doing in the area: “Many people have received Christ just through the work of the volunteers.

“It's taking the word and the deed together and then you see miracles in peoples lives; changed hearts, changed lives, changed circumstances."

World Hope has helped survivors in Gulf Port, Mississippi, with the re-roofing of their homes, and also with the smaller but equally necessary steps like cleaning out the mould and tree removal.

According to Hoover, World Hope is also redoubling its efforts in the Kenner suburb of New Orleans, which was badly flooded after a barge broke through the levy.

“Many of those folks have mold clear up to the ceiling in their houses and we're going in and removing the walling, sterilizing the house with bleach water and then putting sheet rock back in the houses,” she said.

Ms. Hoover appealed to Christians to pray for wisdom and the safety of the volunteers that continue to work in the affected areas, as well as for the resources that will enable World Hope to continue its work in the area.