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Becky’s History

Becky was born in Boulder, Colorado and grew up in the Littleton/Englewood suburbs of Denver.  After Becky graduated from Arapahoe High School, her family went overseas as missionaries.  Becky stayed in Denver to get an RN from Presbyterian Medical Center, in Denver.  When finished, she took the one year Grad Course at Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon.

Harold’s History

Harold was born in California.  He joined SIM and went to Ethiopia in 1950.  (His parents told him about it later.)  After eleven years in Ethiopia, Harold’s family returned to the States.  Harold graduated from West Valley High School in Yakima, Washington.  He took two years at Yakima Valley Junior College, then graduated from Central Washington State College.  Then, he went to Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon, where he met Becky. 

Yakima Years

Harold and Becky were married and lived in Yakima, Washington, for three years.  Harold taught Math at West Valley High School.  Becky did nursing at St. Elizabeth Hospital until Rachel Marie was born, September 10, 1972. 

Harold & Becky were active in Westside Baptist Church.

Ethiopia Years

In 1973, Harold, Becky and Rachel joined SIM and went to Ethiopia as missionaries.  Harold & Becky had eight months of Amharic Language study in Addis Ababa.  Faith Anne was born, October 15, 1974. 

After Language school, the Jongewards were assigned to Durami, among the Kambata people.  Harold taught and administrated in the Bible school and high school.  Becky helped some in the clinic but primarily was a wife and mother.  As the government moved closer to communism, it became increasingly difficult for SIM to run any schools for Ethiopians.  All were closed or transferred in 1976.

Harold and Becky went to Addis Ababa where Harold was to be principal and teacher “for one year” at Bingham Academy, the school for missionary kids.  By the end of the year, the communist government had forced SIM to scale back further.  The previous Bingham principal did not return.  Harold and Becky continued at Bingham Academy for 16 years.  Those years were some of the most joyful, sad, stretching, and uncertain years they ever experienced.  In the midst of their fulfilling ministry with international children from 30 plus countries, they witnessed the suffering of people under the communist government.  People gunned down on the streets.  Churches closed.  Believers imprisoned and tortured for their faith.  These are some of the indelible memories of those years.  Yet God’s protection, faithfulness, and purpose were clearly seen over and over in and through those experiences.

In 1991, the communist government was overthrown.

USA Years

In 1992, the Jongewards came to the States for furlough and further schooling.  When Becky’s dad took sick, Harold and Becky stayed in the States to care for her parents, Jim and Betty Hendricks.  In 1994, all four moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, so Harold and Becky could work in the SIM USA office. 

Harold worked in the Information Systems Dept of the SIM USA office. His responsibilities included: computer training, computer support, and software testing.

Becky was wife, homemaker, and care-taker for her parents. After her dad passed away in 1998, she continued to care for her mom. As Becky had time, she also helped in the Receipting and Medical Departments of the SIM USA office.

Harold & Becky were involved in Manchester Creek Community Church of Rock Hill, South Carolina.

In April 2001, Becky's mom moved to Vienna, VA to be cared for by Becky's sister, Faith Battle. This made it possible for Jongewards to return to Ethiopia.

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