Learning espanol is a humbling experience

I am learning that learning a new language requires a lot of patience. In my quest to learn spanish here, I am continually feeling like a small child who wants to share all the thoughts in my head, but who is without words. I want to be able to express deeper thoughts, to ask questions beyond the simple "How are you?" to the patients, to my host mother, to the people I meet on the streets, and yet all I seem to be able to offer at times is a smile and nod. It is a humbling experience -- it forces you to listen to others (even when you don't understand fully!) and to be content with not having the ability to respond in full.

But still I feel like I am making progress slowly. I feel like I am gaining more confidence with the language and am thankful that the Bolivianos have been so gracious in helping me (for example this week I said "no tengo hombre" (I do not have a man) by accident instead of saying "no tengo hambre" (I am not hungry). I quickly corrected myself saying "tengo hombre y no tengo hambre" -- I have a man (a wonderful one for that matter!!!) and I am not hungry!

Tomorrow our group is to give a 45 minute educational presentation on nutrition during and after pregnancy to a group of adolescent mothers and pregnant teens at the Clinica de Adolescentes where I have been working this week. Fingers crossed I am able to communicate my message clearly with them!