Our best intentions to write sooner fell to the wayside after the arrival of our little guy in August. Luke is wonderful, amazing, beautiful… but he has turned our lives upside down. And to think I had thought things would pretty much continue as before only with a cute baby in tow! It turns out that was a little naïve.

However, we are enjoying Luke immensely. He has recently started to interact with us, smiling, even laughing. He especially likes to hear us sing (hmm, I guess they forgot to check his hearing at the hospital) and to kiss him. We are slowly starting to feel a little more competent as parents and not quite so overwhelmed. We’ve made the most of the lingering mild weather to take him on some hikes as well, which he seems to enjoy.

One thing Luke doesn’t give us is sleep. For several weeks after his birth he was congested and so would wake frequently in the night. He is not so congested now, but he still wakes very frequently and often doesn’t like to go back to sleep. His parents are pretty exhausted. If you think of us, please pray that he will get the hang of sleeping for longer periods. We’d appreciate it. (For recent pics of Luke and to follow his development, go to our website at: http://stensland.balkanhope.com)

Erik’s studies in organizational development continue to stimulate and expand his thinking. He finds it a little harder these days to concentrate due to the lack of sleep, but he’s persevering and is still managing to do well. The really encouraging thing is that these studies are not purely academic. Some have been used already in practical ways. One of his recent projects involved an assessment of AIM, the organization we helped set up in Kosovo. In his paper he addressed some of the challenges facing the current leadership giving some ideas and suggestions for future health and growth. The AIM Board is using this paper this coming year as a guideline for some of their thinking and discussions. He’s also written a several papers on Balkan issues and tomorrow morning he will begin an assessment of an organization in Albania.

We continue to have close contact and some involvement in the work in Kosovo. With the arrival in Prishtina 2 weeks ago of our new team members, Dave & Tricia Mcleod, we will be even more involved. Please pray for their adjustment. Arriving in Kosovo just as winter begins and with 3 kids (we can barely manage one!), is no easy thing. Dave will be working at the AIM office, taking over some of the things we used to do. Last week, the AIM held its annual Assembly meeting. We are encouraged to hear how positive members are about all that is happening. The new AIM Board is made up of some quality people, very committed to cooperation and the vision of AIM. The AIM seems to be doing very well without us and is growing, expanding and being a great encouragement.

Our future plans are still not clear, but we continue to think and pray about what God wants for us. Our hearts are definitely still back in the Balkans. We’ll see what God does. However, we still have another year of studies to complete before our next move. We’ll keep you informed.

Well, that’s it from the Stenslands. Do write and let us know how you are doing too!

Jo, Erik & Luke