“¡Así es la esposa de Cristo! Ella fue planeada por Dios: es Él quien la acerca, es Él quien lleva a cabo el matrimonio, es Él quien multiplica nuestra vida por medio de ella. ¡El matrimonio en sí, no es la finalidad! Mas bien es la imagen de algo mucho mejor que solamente el encuentro, unión, y propagación de un hombre y una mujer para el bien de ellos mismos. Jesucristo es la finalidad de todo ello. ¡Él es el Esposo verdadero, el Amante verdadero, y el verdadero Dador de la vida!”
– an excerpt from the book
ARPress is honored to publish “El Andar De Una Doncella Con Su Amado” by Ernest Witmer. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
In a world where love stories often fade with time, there are some that continue to echo in eternity — stories that reveal the beauty of marriage, the ache of loss, and the steadfast hope found in Christ. “El Andar De Una Doncella Con Su Amado” by Ernest Witmer is one such story. It is both a tribute and a testimony — a husband’s heartfelt reflection on the life of his beloved wife, Raquel, whose earthly walk mirrored the grace and devotion of the Bride of Christ. Through pages filled with tenderness, Scripture, and spiritual wisdom, Witmer reminds us that every season of love — even one marked by grief — can become an altar of worship to the Lord.
Ernest Witmer is an ordained minister of the Mennonite Church. For more than twenty-five years, he has pastored churches in northern Minnesota and southern California, where he now lives with his family in the Highland Park community of Los Angeles.
He lost his wife Raquel—his wife of 28 years and 17 days—in a tragic accident during the weekend of their second son’s wedding in November 2012. Ernest and Raquel have five adult children: Carita, Marcel (wife Krista and son Judah), Asher (wife Teresa and sons Kenas and Adrion), Kristi, and Christopher. Their children and three grandchildren are his constant delight.
Teaching from the Scriptures about marriage and family is one of Ernest’ favorite things to do. He teaches in Bible schools, as well as in churches and youth camps, and does itinerant ministry in churches throughout the United States and in several other countries. Ernest is also an active contributor on Facebook and has written Sunday school publications and materials for Christian schools.
The book traces Raquel’s life from her youth, where her love for the Lord began to blossom, to her courtship and marriage with Ernest, where the foundations of a Christ-centered home were built. Witmer recounts key moments of their journey together — their wedding, seasons of parenting, and their shared calling in ministry — each milestone marked by prayer, faith, and mutual devotion. Readers witness not only the joys of a godly union, but also the quiet challenges that tested and deepened their trust in God.
As the story unfolds, the tone shifts from celebration to solemn reflection as Raquel’s earthly pilgrimage comes to a close. Yet, through every chapter, Witmer draws out eternal lessons of faith — that love rooted in Christ never dies, and that grief, when surrendered to God, becomes a vessel of grace. The book ultimately paints a portrait of a woman who lived with purity, humility, and reverence, reminding us that our journey with Christ is a walk toward eternal union with the One who first loved us.
With the humility of a shepherd and the honesty of a grieving husband, Witmer writes with clarity and compassion. His storytelling moves between reflection and revelation, combining personal anecdotes with scriptural insight. Readers will find not just theological truth, but tender counsel for marriages longing for renewal, and hearts learning to hope again. Witmer’s voice reminds us that love — rooted in Christ — can outlast time, distance, and even death.
“El Andar De Una Doncella Con Su Amado” is ultimately a book of hope. It calls every reader to trust that God’s purposes are good, even when His plans are mysterious. Just as Raquel’s life was a testimony of grace, her passing became a reminder of eternity — where every tear will be wiped away, and love will be made whole. For those walking through grief, for couples seeking to reflect Christ in their marriage, or for anyone longing to rekindle their first love for God, this book offers both comfort and calling.
Description in Spanish:
Este libro es una travesía de amor y fe. A través de la historia de Raquel Witmer, el autor nos invita a reflexionar sobre el matrimonio, la vida cristiana, y la relación eterna entre la Esposa y el Esposo celestial. Es una obra dedicada a quienes desean caminar fielmente con su Amado, Jesucristo.
In her story, we see the Gospel lived out — a reminder that every earthly love is but a reflection of our eternal union with Christ, the true Beloved.
“El Andar De Una Doncella Con Su Amado” by Ernest Witmer is now available for purchase via ARPress Bookstore: