Spring 2012

NEWS FROM MONTANA!

Were now well into the last two months of our time here with YWAM Montana, but our time with YWAM is not over; were excited to let you know that we have made a two-year commitment to the School of Biblical Studies in YWAM Turner Valley in Alberta!
The last seven months in Montana has been a wonderful time of getting to know Gods Word. To date, Helen has studied through 51 of the 66 books of the Bible. Michael has taught Colossians, 1 Peter, Leviticus, and Joel, and will soon teach Zephaniah. Students are currently studying the prophets, and will close the school with looking at the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew so beautifully illustrates the way in which Jesus fullls the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament, and as we study this book, students will have the opportunity to see the cohesiveness of the Bible. The Bible is not just a collection of 66 books but the story of the need for redemption that came through Jesus.

Left: Michael on his rst day of teaching (he did an awesome job on Colossians!) Right: Helen and friends from the Netherlands, Norway, and California in nearby Big Fork, Montana on a Sunday/Sabbath day.

The School of Biblical Studies wraps up on June 21st, and it will be a bittersweet time of celebrating the culmination of hours and hours of work and study, and having to say goodbye to students and staff as all return to their corners of the world, or go out to bring the Gospel to those who have not yet heard the good news of Jesus. This season has been so blessed by friendships we have made, but most of all, by the opportunity we have had to become more rmly rooted in the Truth of the Gospel. Thank you so much for your support and prayers as we have been on this journey. As we say goodbye to Montana, our journey with YWAM is not over! We are blessed to have been accepted to YWAM Turner Valley in Alberta, where we will both

Michael and Helen are currently working with YWAMs School of Biblical Studies in Lakeside, Montana. From 2012-2014 they will serve with the School of Biblical Studies at YWAM Turner Valley. Keep up with our adventures at: packardsprogress.wordpress.com

PACKARDS Progress www.packardsprogress.wordpress.com

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Equipping our generation with a worldchanging knowledge of the Bible...

Chris is one of the students in my (Michaels) small group, but before SBS started, I didnt think hed even make it to Montana. Chris is from the Philippines, and with about nine days until the start of the school, Chris told the SBS staff he was going to buy a plane ticket though he hadnt received his visa yet. A week later, I picked Chris up at the airport, complete with visa in his passport. After 7 months of SBS, I can see why God did the impossible to get Chris here. Chris excels in his studies, but more importantly, he has a vision to take what he is learning to the nations. Chris has applied to do the Titus Project, a 3 month school that equips SBS graduates to teach the Bible in unreached areas of the world. His heart is for Nepal, and will go there to use all he has learned to further the knowledge of God through His Word. Playing a small part in what God is doing in and through Chris is why I am so privileged to be doing what I do as SBS staff.

be staff on the School of Biblical Studies. We will teach, grade, and disciple students there as Michael has been doing in Montana, but with the advantage of being part of a smaller school. This means we will have the opportunity to learn a great deal from the staff who have been involved with SBS in YWAM Turner Valley, with the desire to become the best Bible teachers we can be. We want to learn to communicate Gods Word effectively and accurately, and as God works through us, we pray He will be gloried, and the world will be changed through knowledge of His Word. Throughout our two year commitment at Turner Valley, we will be praying about going overseas to teach the Bible in an SBS in either Africa, Asia, or Eastern Europe. Our vision is to take the Word of God to the nations, and our two years in Turner Valley will be a great training ground to prepare us for that vision to become a reality, as God leads. As we begin this next season, well need lots of people supporting us; you can help us in several ways:

1. Pray
1. Finishing Well in Montana The next several weeks will be busy; there is still much studying to be done! Please pray for Helen as she studies, especially when it comes to bigger books, including Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Pray for Michael as he spends hours grading the work students will do for these books!

2. Our Summer Our Calendar SBS nishes on June 21st, but well be staying in June 22 - SBS Graduation Ceremony Montana until July 2nd so Michael can nish his staff July 2 - Board train in Whitesh, Montana duties, and to attend a wedding here. Well take a twoJuly 4 - Arrive in Ontario day train trip back to Ontario, where we will be for three July 25 - (Tentative) Begin Drive to Alberta weeks, before we drive to Turner Valley. This will be an August 1 - Arrive in Turner Valley, Alberta extremely busy time, and we want to connect with as August 6-10 - North American SBS Conference many people as possible! Were hoping to hold at least (in Montana) two Missions Information Nights during this time. If you August 20 - Staff Training Begins in Turner Valley would like to attend or host such an event, please September 24 - SBS 2012/2013 Begins! contact us! Please pray we would spend our time wisely while having the opportunity to rest. 3. Finances YWAM Turner Valley suggests a minimum of $1000 of monthly support for staff couples. This is signicantly more money than we receive in support at present. We also need to purchase a car; Turner Valley is in an even more remote location than Lakeside (and we will need a vehicle to drive across Canada!). Please join with us in praying for people to partner with us as we make this transition to stafng in Turner Valley. If you feel God is calling you to give, please see below for more details.
PACKARDS Progress www.packardsprogress.wordpress.com

Spring 2012

2. Donate Camping Supplies

We will camp our way across Canada to get to Turner Valley. We have a tent and sleeping bags, but still need sleeping mats, a camp stove, camp cookware, an axe, tarps, a large cooler, rope, and one camping chair. If you live in Ontario and would like to donate any of your old, usable camping gear to us, we would really appreciate it! We hope to visit Wasaga Beach, Alliston, Toronto, and New Liskeard this summer, and will happily pick up anything you want to contribute. You can contact us at packardsprogress@gmail.com, or through Facebook.

Where is Turner Valley, Alberta?

3. Give

YWAM staff do not receive paychecks. This means our salaries come solely from nancial partners who believe in our mission to teach the Bible and reach the world with the good news of Jesus. Weve had several people support us over the last year, and we are so grateful; we have been able to be here in Montana because of the generosity of our supporters.

Turner Valley is located approximately 45 minutes southwest of Calgary, Alberta, nestled between the Rocky Mountains and the prairies.

One Time Expenses

Vehicle = $3500 Travel Across Canada = $800 North American SBS Conference = $200 Total One Time Expenses = $4500

In addition to the larger, one time expenses listed at left, we will need to raise monthly support to cover our living expenses. YWAM Turner Valley recommends a minimum of $1000 monthly support for a staff couple. We are so thankful for any support we receive! Please know that you do not have to commit to a substantial amount of money each month to support our work; if you can support us between $10 and $25 a month, please know that every dollar is a blessing to us. Canadian donations (whether a one-time donation or a monthly-donation) are tax- deductible when processed through YWAM Project Funding in BC. We are currently working on setting up tax-deductible status in the States, so American supporters can enjoy the benets of tax-deductible giving as well.

Monthly Expenses

Room & Board, Car Insurance & Fuel, Additional Food and Health Costs, Emergency Funds, Toiletries, etc. requires at least $1000 monthly support

Financial Contributions (for Canadians)

1) All cheques should be made payable to YWAM or Youth With A Mission (BC) Society - do not write our names on the cheque itself. We have provided an addressed envelope for your convenience. 2) Enclose a separate note in the envelope designating support for Michael & Helen Packard (we have included a note in the envelope provided). 3) Send cheque + separate note to: YWAM Project Funding Ofce PO Box 57100 RPO East Hastings Vancouver BC V5K 5G6 4) Contact us! Wed love to know that youre supporting us, whether it is through prayer, nances, or both! In addition, if youd like for us to help you arrange pre-authorized payments, please let us know, and we can direct you to the appropriate forms/instructions. Our email address is packardsprogress@gmail.com.

PACKARDS Progress www.packardsprogress.wordpress.com

Spring 2012

PH OTOS F ROM SBS 2 0 1 1 / 2 0 1 2

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SBS STAFF, HELENS SISTER (JILL - FAR LEFT) AND FRIEND (KELSEY - FAR RIGHT) VISIT FOR EASTER; HELENS COLOUR-CODED BIBLE; MICHAEL & HELEN AT WELCOME TO MONTANA NIGHT; SBS CLASS TAUGHT BY DR. YOUNGBLOOD (A MEMBER OF THE TRANSLATION TEAM FOR THE NIV BIBLE!).

Thank you for all your love and support during this past year! We are so blessed to partner with God in

Equipping our generation with a world-changing knowledge of the Bible.

PACKARDS Progress www.packardsprogress.wordpress.com