In the 1970’s many towns and cities in South Africa experienced a wave of Daniel and Revelation seminars. The venues were typically packed to the brim with many patrons standing, night after night. The messages were gripping and moved the audiences to astonishment. Thereafter the presenters would more often than not disappear without revealing who they were and where to find them.

Marie Rex attended one such meeting. She was spellbound by the messages of truth and the music was from heaven.  The theme song for the meeting was ‘Give me the Bible’ which hit resonant chords with her. She purposed in her heart to join herself to this people. But then they were gone, leaving no discernible clues as to their identity, except for the theme song.

Marie prayed to the Lord that if she heard that hymn again, then she would know.  In the meantime life went on.

Never does a prayer like that go unheard, many are the witnesses who can attest to that. When you pray such a prayer, you better be prepared for the answer, whenever and in whichever way it comes.

One day a family member invited her to church. In her eagerness to go, she did not even notice it was Saturday. As the congregation belted out the first hymn, Marie started shaking and crying uncontrollably. It was the hymn she has been longing for; it was ‘Give me the Bible’; she has come home… finally... thirty years later!

Later, after her home-coming, Marie would marry a man who came to her at a low ebb of this life, Ernie Rex. He was a dominee in the Dutch Reformed Church who has hit rock bottom after life gave him a bitter lesson to learn. Today, Ernie and Marie tour the country delivering a bible series, which they have aptly titled ‘Give me the Bible… only the Bible’. To them it is not merely the motto of the Reformation, it is the credo of their life’s journey.

At 75 years of age, Ernie has been a Seventh Day Adventist for about 15 years. On Sabbath, 17 November 2018, Ernie and Marie ended their four-week 'Give me the Bible... only the Bible' programme at my congregation. During the divine service he announced that he is observing his 691st Sabbath. He joyfully informed the congregation that he will continue counting because Sabbath is a joyous occasion.

This message came to him at age 60, when the vast majority of people are winding down to retirement. But Ernie and Marie are not showing any signs of retiring, indeed it appears that they are simply re-tyring.

May the Lord bless them in all they do.