By Alma Ovalle

I had the privilege of serving as a simultaneous interpreter between English and Spanish at the 58th Annual Southeast Mennonite Conference at Sarasota Community Church in Sarasota, Florida. Every time I put on a headset with a mic, I am reminded how grateful I am that God has allowed me to use this gift for his people.

I began interpreting simultaneously when I was nineteen years old and somehow, after four decades, it still moves me deeply. There is something sacred about listening carefully to one voice while helping another person hear and understand in their own heart language. In those moments, I often feel like I am standing in the middle of connection, trust, worship, and understanding.

For me, interpreting has never been just about words. Rather, it has always felt like ministry. It is about helping people feel included, seen, and part of the body of Christ, no matter what language they speak. I love watching someone’s face light up when they can fully understand a sermon, a testimony, or a message from God without barriers standing in the way.

Over the years, interpreting has taken me to churches, conferences, and communities, but what has remained constant is the quiet reminder that this gift does not belong to me alone. Instead, it is something the Lord has allowed me to steward in service to others. I never take that lightly.

The weekend of the Annual Southeast Mennonite Conference was another beautiful reminder that God can use our voices, our listening, and our willingness to serve to bring people closer together. And after all these years, I still walk away humbled, grateful, and deeply thankful that I get to be a part of that work.

Alma Ovalle is a member of Sarasota Community Church in Sarasota, FL. This congregation is a part of the Southeast Mennonite Conference district of LMC.