Andrew Elliott - My Story

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Age: 35

Nationality: South African

Occupation: Mechanical Engineer

Hobbies: Windsurfing; Skiing; Spearfishing; DIY

Significant others: Wife-Fiona; son-James

What brought you to the UK?  My wife, Fiona, was already living in Guildford when I met her.  She couldn't get a job in South Africa so I came over here. 

What do you miss about South Africa?  The smell of boerewors [sausage] cooking on braais [barbecues] on summer evenings.

Boys and their Toys:  When I was 16, I borrowed a crossbow from a neighbour, took it apart, sketched everything, and then made my own.  I nearly lost it coming through customs, but apparently there is no requirement to license crossbows so they let it through.

First Job: After graduating I spent 6 months helping to refurbish a ship called MV Doulos.  Built in 1914 she is the oldest passenger vessel still afloat.  Since the late '70s she has belonged to an organisation called Operation Mobilisation which uses her to share the good news about Jesus Christ in the various places she visits around the world. 

Don’t Mention: The scooter I built powered by a windsurfing sail.  For non-windy days, I bolted on a 2-stroke engine.  Whilst trying it out the accelerator jammed and the thing took off.  It had no brake and nothing to hold on to. I managed to negotiate the first corner but knew that I wasn't going to make the next bend.  Instead, I careered up an overgrown path hoping to abandon the scooter: only to meet an old man walking down.  Somehow I steered past him (at 30mph!) and leapt off.  The scooter came off pretty lightly; I broke my kneecap and was in plaster for many weeks.

Best Day of Your Life: When I was 13 years old my family and I went to a Sunday service in a small church in Cape Town.  That evening I felt that God was speaking to me and telling me that I needed to become a Christian there and then.  Later that night I prayed very simply and told God that I was sorry for my sin, thanked Him for giving His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die in my place and asked Him to forgive me.  That was a turning point for me.  It changed my eternal destiny and gave my life a new meaning. I can honestly say that I have never regretted it.

Narrow Escapes: I have had a few nasty falls off motorbikes in my time, but my hairiest moment recently was while windsurfing off the west coast of Ireland.  I set off at one side of a bay intending to meet my family at the other side.  Almost immediately a mist came down and the wind dropped leaving me stranded.  I eventually managed to limp into shore just before the coastguard alerted the lifeboat.

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