Living Far From Home Without Drifting From Who You Are

A Survival Guide for South Africans Living Abroad

When “Overseas” Becomes Everyday Life

For many South Africans abroad — the SAFFAS — the move is no longer new. The boxes are unpacked, routines are established, accents have softened, and life looks stable from the outside.

Yet underneath that stability, many expats carry a quiet ache.

You miss home in ways you didn’t expect. Not just people, but belonging. Familiar humour. Worship that feels like yours. The easy way faith once fitted into everyday life. Living overseas can slowly wear down the things that once felt effortless.

Scripture reminds us, “Here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14). Still, living as a sojourner is not always easy — even when life is good.

“Living abroad doesn’t weaken your faith — drifting does. Staying connected keeps you rooted.”

The Slow Drift Expats Rarely Name

One of the hardest realities for long-term expats is not crisis, but drift.

Faith routines weaken. Sundays become workdays or recovery days. Church feels unfamiliar or emotionally distant. You still believe — but the connection feels thinner than it once did.

Relationships back home also change. Time zones complicate calls. Conversations become shorter. You don’t always know how to explain your life anymore, and family doesn’t always understand it either. Over time, many expats begin to feel like they belong everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Children adapt quickly. Parents often carry the weight — holding onto culture, faith, and identity while trying not to feel stuck in the past.

Guarding Your Faith When You’re Far From Familiar

Living overseas requires intentional faith. What once came naturally now needs to be chosen.

Faith is not only sustained in church buildings. It is sustained through daily reminders of God’s presence — through worship, Scripture, prayer, and trusted voices that speak truth into ordinary days.

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing the message.” For expats, hearing matters deeply — hearing God’s Word in your heart language, with cultural understanding and spiritual warmth.

Staying spiritually connected doesn’t mean resisting your new home. It means anchoring yourself while you grow.

Staying Connected to Family and Friends Back Home

Distance doesn’t have to mean disconnection — but it does require intention.

Create rhythms of contact rather than waiting for perfect timing. Voice notes, short messages, shared devotionals, or listening to the same sermon can keep hearts aligned even when lives look different.

Small traditions matter. Celebrating South African holidays. Cooking familiar meals. Laughing at jokes only “your people” understand. These practices don’t keep you stuck — they keep you whole.

Proverbs 17:17 reminds us, “A friend loves at all times.” Sometimes love across distance looks quieter, but it is no less real.

Your Faith Companion, Wherever You Live

This is where the Radio Pulpit App quietly becomes a companion for many SAFFAS abroad.

Across time zones and seasons, it offers daily encouragement, Scripture, worship, and trusted voices — in familiar languages and tones. Whether live or on demand, it allows faith to travel with you.

For many expats, it becomes part of daily life: morning commutes, lonely afternoons, moments of prayer, or reminders of home. Not a replacement for local church — but a bridge when connection feels thin.

You’re Not Meant to Do This Alone

Living overseas takes courage. Staying spiritually healthy while doing it takes intention.

You can build a life abroad without losing your faith, your people, or yourself. Stay rooted. Stay connected. Let familiar voices remind you of eternal truths — wherever you call home today.

The Radio Pulpit app includes all the features you need for your go-to Christian radio station app, and it’s free to download.

Do you need a fresh word from God today? Then click on the icon for The Word for Today devotional. If you’ve missed a show, then scroll through the dedicated podcast section. One of the key features of the Radio Pulpit app is our Listen Live button. It provides crystal clear sound with just a click of a button!

Don’t delay; download your go-to Christian radio station app today. It is available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Written by Brahm van Wyk

For more Biblical teachings, listen to Bible Perspective or read our daily devotional, The Word for Today.

The views expressed herein are those of the presenters and writers, not Radio Pulpit.