As rebuilding continues in the Katrina-ravaged Gulf coast states of the US, one Christian aid group is readying itself for another bumpy ride.
US-based International Aid has been working in hard-hit Hancock County in the state of Mississippi since last year’s devastating hurricane season when it provided emergency relief for hundreds of families.With the emergency period over, the work has moved into phase two and the longer term restorative work.
"We moved from that phase to setting up a volunteer centre that would provide housing, meals and accommodations for volunteers that would want to come down and help in the rebuilding efforts,” said International Aid’s Dean Agee.
And their volunteer centre is already fully booked, "We're, through the summer, running about 300 people from church groups and other groups through the volunteer centre.”
But with hurricane forecasters predicting no less than 17 named storms to form in the Atlantic Ocean this year, it’s going to be a rocky ride.Government aid has also been, according to Mission Network News, “non-existent or slow in coming”, meaning that every day needs remain unmet.
International Aid’s work in the county comes at a crucial time for many of the survivors still struggling in the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
"Hancock County, where we're working, is relatively unchurched. We are working with local churches to do the rebuilding effort,” said Agee.
The work of the agency is bringing more and more people to Christ as aid recipients witness the work of the teams, as well as learn of their reason for coming and hear a consistent testimony to the body of Christ.
Agee adds, "As a good friend of ours who lives down there says, 'You know, it's really the church groups and the volunteers that are doing the rebuilding’.”
Nine of the 17 forecast storms are predicted to become hurricanes and five of those are expected to develop into Category 3 storms where winds hit at least 111mph.
