Story from Impact Middle East leader in Jordan
He was constantly harassed and threatened by Muslims for being a Christian. Robert, a 23-year-old barber, lived in Kirkuk, Iraq. In September 2017 he left his family behind and came to Jordan alone. (Robert’s family members were also persecuted. His brother and sister had to leave school. But the family decided to stay in Iraq until his father retires and receives a pension from his job.)
Robert is involved in the “N” Project at an Impact Middle East partner church in Amman. He teaches classes for the barber shop and trains others for handcrafts. He is also part of the Discipleship Team that meets daily to pray and learn Bible stories. The team visits other Iraqi refugee families to share what they have studied.
Robert thinks the best thing about the “N” Project is that it gives people something to do with their time besides just sitting at home and waiting. In addition to working on the handcrafts, it teaches them to use their extra time to study the Bible and grow in their relationship with Christ.
The “N” Project
Iraqi refugees in Jordan are not allowed to work. As they wait to immigrate to their new home countries, these people are left with wounds of past trauma and no way to earn a living or provide for their families. The “N” Project, part of an NGO started by an Impact Middle East partner church in Amman, Jordan, has given Iraqi refugees an opportunity to join together in community to create handcrafts to sell and to receive livelihood training.
The project’s name is based on the ن symbol, pronounced “noon.” This symbol, which stands for “Nazarene,” was used by ISIS to identify Christians. Christian homes were marked on the outside by ISIS with a large painted ن. Iraqi refugees have taken this symbol of their persecution and identity and have turned it into a symbol of faith and a reminder to pray for the persecuted church.