THE letterbox rattles at the door of the new Kasokota household in Motherwell, a million miles from the violence of their home country.

It's a friend from church with a gift of a bicycle, cycling helmet and lights for head of the family Justin.

"He's a good friend," says Justin, 34. "If I have some problem, then I pick up the phone to call him."

It seems that since arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo in February - their journey was documented in the BBC2 programme From Congo to Motherwell - the Kasokotas have found the sanctuary they'd longed for.

Former Christian preacher and health worker Justin, his wife Marie, six-year-old daughter Marie-Claire, little Justin, three, and latest addition to the family Michael, seven-months-old, look happy and settled among the Christmas tree and decorations of their cosy mid-terraced home.

Like any family at this time of year, the fireplace is covered in Christmas cards.

"They're mine," says little Marie-Claire, with a strong Scottish burr in her accent, as she proudly shows off her schoolfriends' cards.

The Kasokotas were among 22 refugees who came to Motherwell under the Gateway Protection Programme, a Home Office and United Nations partnership, in which the Home Office covers costs for accommodation, healthcare, education and social work for 500 vulnerable refugees each year.

They had fled a bloody civil war in the Congo which has claimed four million lives since it began in 1998.

Understandably, Justin is reticent to talk about the violence his family experienced first-hand but their plight was harrowing; Justin was beaten by rebel soldiers, tied to a tree and left for dead in the jungle.

After being reunited with Marie 200 miles away in a refugee camp in Northern Zambia - where Marie had named her newly-born baby after the husband she feared had become another murder statistic - the family were selected to be resettled in the UK.

"I wanted to be safe in my life and in my children's lives," says Justin.

"I'm very happy to be here - the government have helped us so much.

"They have given us the house and the children are able to sleep very well."

They stepped off the train from London on February 5 to a warm reception and a house furnished with help from well-wishers from St Luke's parish in Forgewood.

Those TV viewers who tuned in to watch the documentary screened in August saw the family coming to terms with can-openers, a stove without fire and going shopping in Asda.

Bicycle-bearing friend David was also on hand when Marie, 27, went into labour with Michael. The ambulance Justin called didn't arrive in time, so David stepped in to rush the couple to hospital.

Help with the language barrier is also provided: Justin, who speaks Swahili and French, is studying English language and literacy at Motherwell College.

North Lanarkshire Council's adoption of the Gateway Protection Programme, which has now successfully resettled 20 of the world's most vulnerable families, won the Creating Integrated Communities Award at last month's UK Housing Awards.

Councillor Jim McCabe, leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: "These people have endured horrors beyond anything we can imagine.

"So when something like the Gateway Protection Programme gives us the opportunity to help, we have a humanitarian obligation to use it."

Having spent just over 10 months in Motherwell, the Kasokotas are preparing to celebrate their first Christmas in Scotland.

"For us, at Christmas, we make time to eat together," says Justin. "Maybe we'll invite some people to come and enjoy it with us.

"On 25th of December, we can celebrate all day in the church," says Justin.

The strong faith that Justin brought to Scotland hasn't diminished: he reels off a list of churches where he goes to listen to bible readings.

And it's the same faith that informs his feelings about his family's future in Scotland.

"For the future? It's difficult to know," he says. "But what I know is that my God knows."