1.The testimony of my brother's wife

My sister-in-law did not allow the tragic death of her husband to make her bitter. Nor did she shrink into oblivion and live as a recluse. She had only a few months to adjust to the truth about who her husband really was. That time became a time of new openness, understanding, and compassion between them.

After Ray's death, she sought out his gay friends and learned to know them. She sat by the bedsides of persons dying with AIDS and ministered to them. She became director of pastoral care of an organization that promotes understanding and caring for these afflicted people. She began to share her story and became an advocate for gay and lesbian people. Families with homosexual members began to come to her for understanding and counsel.

She has touched the lives of many people throughout the United States and Canada because of her compassionate understanding. Before her retirement, she served in pastoral ministry in several Mennonite churches and continues to fill interim pastoral positions when the opportunity arises. In our discussions together, Ann has helped me to a new and deeper understanding of Scripture on this subject.

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