Steve and Lisa Twinem served as missionaries alongside Bert and Colleen Elliot in Trujillo and were valued colleagues. Steve writes,
As a young man intent on getting a Theology degree and entering the ministry, I ended up in northern Peru in 1987 for a summer mission trip where the Elliots were our hosts. I was struck by the sacrificial loving service of this couple that was inspired by their deep love for the Lord and their practical knowledge of His Word. Bert was so solid in what he believed and yet so open for others to participate and so it was there during that time that I actually preached my first message. A close bond was formed and for the rest of my studies and as my wife and I began in ministry in Canada, we corresponded regularly with the Elliots. We too believed we were called to overseas ministry and were aware of the need in Peru. Bert asked if we would come to help in the area of training leaders and we thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to learn under their mentorship. The Lord delayed in sending us for a dozen years and then in his perfect timing He allowed us to serve alongside the Elliots for the last 12 years of their ministry on this earth. What a joy to see firsthand the humility and love the Lord nurtures in ones who are willing to walk closely with Him wherever He may lead. They were faithful in their daily time with the Lord and served others with a sacrifice that defied the honoured place they had in the hearts and minds of the people that they served. They always gave more than they received and only in their last years cut back on travel on rugged terrain to small out-of-the-way congregations and staying in rustic quarters. During our time with them we learned much, more than any one story could capture. Some of the profound thoughts were these; "Discovering the will of God is a romance," as we only find it in relationship with Him. "I would rather err on the side of giving too much than giving too little." I remember him praying once before a training institute, "Thank you Lord for these courses to teach because we are lazy and need them to discipline us in our study." And of moral purity he said once to a group of younger men, "I am never too old to spoil the picture." On one bus trip, I remember sitting beside him as an inappropriate movie began to play and he put his coat over his head preferring to ride in darkness rather than dishonour the Lord.
We don't see this much today in ministry. Men and women who continue to be committed to unchanging truth principles no matter how much time they have had in ministry and no matter how others esteem them. Bert had the position of an elder statesman in Peruvian evangelical circles across denominational boundaries, yet he always served as though he was a young man, constantly asking the Lord what was next. He remained happy as a child to the end of his days, enamoured by the beauty of God's creation, His people and His goodness to them as a couple. Steve and Lisa Twinem