Faith Beyond Borders: When Distance Can't Separate Us from God

There’s something about moving to a foreign country that shakes you to your core. The comfort of home disappears. Familiar faces fade into the background. And suddenly, you find yourself surrounded by a culture, a language, and sometimes even a faith that feels different from what you’ve always known.

Some let go. Some adjust. But some hold on even tighter.

And that’s exactly what Brev Jeff in Canada and Brev Patrick in Vietnam did.

Brev Jeff: The Rosary That Kept Them Rooted

Canada wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for Jeff and his family. The struggles of settling down, the pressure of making ends meet, and the silent battles of being far from home—it was overwhelming. And yet, in the midst of it all, they never lost their center.

They kept the faith. Literally.

Every night, as the world outside continued to test them, they turned to prayer. The Rosary wasn’t just a devotion; it became their lifeline. It held them together when life was trying to pull them apart.

“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

And despite being invited to various prayer groups and churches, their hearts always led them back to the Eucharist. Because once a Brev, always a Brev. They knew where their strength came from—Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Brev Patrick: A Missionary in Vietnam

Meanwhile, in Vietnam, Brev Patrick had his own faith adventure.

Imagine this: You’re in a country where Catholicism isn’t as accessible as back home. There are no churches on every street. No Sunday Mass schedules that perfectly align with your free time. No easy way to practice your faith.

But Patrick wasn’t about to let that stop him.

He traveled more than an hour just to attend an English Mass—every single Sunday. And he didn’t stop there. He started a Brev chapter in Vietnam.

Instead of waiting for a faith community to welcome him, he built one himself.

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” (Psalm 84:5)

Because that’s what real faith does. It doesn’t get comfortable. It doesn’t settle. It grows, even in the hardest places.

Faith Isn’t About Location—It’s About Conviction

These stories remind us of something powerful:

Faith is not about where you are—it’s about who you are in Christ.

You could be in Canada, Vietnam, the Philippines, or anywhere in the world, but the real question is: Are you staying true to your faith, or are you letting circumstances shape it for you?

Too often, people adjust their faith to fit in.

Too often, Catholics become "conveniently religious."

Too often, the fire dims because no one is fanning the flame.

But Jeff and Patrick? They chose otherwise.

They chose the Rosary.

They chose the Eucharist.

They chose to fight for their faith.

“Be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

The Challenge: How Far Would You Go?

If faith were inconvenient for you today—if you had to travel an hour just to attend Mass, if your faith community were nowhere near—would you still hold on?

Would you still pray?

Would you still seek Jesus?

Would you still choose to be Catholic?

Jeff and Patrick didn’t let distance weaken their faith. They let it deepen it.

What about you?

If you feel like your faith is getting weak, maybe it’s because you’re letting the world dictate how much of it you should keep.

Choose differently.

Choose Jesus.

Choose to be a Brev—wherever you are.

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Now, Your Turn!

🔹 Do you have a story like Jeff’s or Patrick’s? Share it in the comments!

🔹 If you were in their place, what would you do?

🔹 Say a prayer today for all Catholics who are keeping the faith in foreign lands.

Brev Jeff with with Brev Evic and children, Yap, Ysabelle, Yuan, Yuna.

Brev Patrick with Vietnam Brevs