Dear ORTV sisters and brothers in Christ, friends and families August 16, 2024
Peace be with you all! Greetings from Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce and Robert W.
Bruce in Orlando Florida, USA. We have heard the story of Doris Brougham who
passed away on August 6, 2024, one day after her 98th birthday due
to multiple organ failure. We are grieving for the loss of Doris, yet inwardly
we believe that she is with the Lord. Her soul is entering into heavenly
Jerusalem, the city of living God, the thousands upon thousands of angels in
joyful assembly. (Heb.12:22). Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the
life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives
and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26). It
indicates that although she dies physically, yet, she shall live spiritually
and eternally. Whoever lives physically and believes in Jesus will never die
spiritually and eternally. Therefore, we are rejoicing that she has clothed
with her heavenly dwelling and at home with the Lord without pains.
Apostle Paul also encouraged the
church, “we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to
grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died
and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have
fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we
who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly
not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come
down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with
the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After
that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them
in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord
forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1Thessalonians4:13-18).
God has made everything beautiful in His time. There is a time for
everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and
a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to weep and a time
to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…(Ecclesiastes 3:11:1-4).
I thank God for her love and passion for Christ, and the great
impact on the people in Taiwan. I praise God for her commitment and persistence
to serve the Lord. The last conversation we had through the Facebook messages,
she texted, “I just want to go out to be strong for the Lord.” Today,
she rests in the arms of the Lord, my prayers and thoughts go out to her – a
great spiritual mother, a passionate missionary and minister. It is Taiwan’s
blessing to have her part of historical events and heroes spiritually,
economically, educationally, and politically. More than 70 years, Doris devoted
wholeheartedly to the Lord, worked unto the Lord and officially recognized
as a citizen of Taiwan and received a passport of Taiwan from Taiwan's
president Tsai En-Wen. As servants of God and Children of God, we
rejoice that we are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens
with God's people and members of God's household. (Eph.2:19) In Christ, we are
being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His
Spirit.
I personally adore her, love her and thank her
for her love, encouragement, and blessing to me. When I shared with her that “I
am going to get married.” She responded, “It’s time to give God glory.” She
came with Daniel Hsieh and Paula Perkins; she planned my wedding ceremony,
music, reception and had a heavenly melody team and TIC elders to participate
in the wedding. That was my greatest honor and blessings that she gave me. I am
thankful that God led Doris into my life. It’s my honor to serve the Lord
together with Doris at Taipei International church from Dec. 1999 to March
2004 as Stephen minister, also praising & worshiping leaders’ team. Her
trumpet sounds had led us to triumph all the procession through Christ
strengthened us. "The Journey of love" each page illustrates
her commitment to serve the Lord, obedience to God’s call, the legacy of
faith, hope and love will remain in many people’s hearts in Taiwan.
Today, she received her crown of
life as reward, and Jesus’ final acknowledges, “Well done, good and faithful
servant”. Let us sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, make music to our
God, and praise the Lord for her sacrificial love and life. Surely, she had
fought a good fight of faith. May her legacy continually impact Taiwan’s young
generations to come! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Please accept my condolences and a check
of USD $100 for Doris’s memorial fund. I am sad and feel sorry that I cannot be
there to participate in Doris' final memorial concert on Sept.20, because my
husband just discharged from hospital on August 3rd, and he had done
angioplasty surgery on August 1st, and Cardiology will do second angioplasty
surgery on September for him. And follow up the appointment with Cardiology,
Nephrology, GI doctors, and Cardiac Rehab. Therefore, we are unable to attend,
because my husband’s medically unable to travel.
However, God is “Immanuel”. He is with us, and
His promise is “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews
13:5) and Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans: I will come to you.”
(John 14:18). The peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give
to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be
afraid.” (John 14:27). “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out
fear.” (1 John4:18-19). Please be strong for the Lord! Be strong!
