Spiritual Journeys January 26, 2026 Issue

My life has turned around

Patrick Schweri

The circumstances that led me to Christian Science over a decade ago were life-threatening. I had fallen into financial trouble at home in Uganda and traveled to South Africa, where I had some job prospects, to seek work in order to support my family. However, on my way there, I got stuck in Zambia and was eventually arrested for overstaying my visa. I was remanded and later sentenced to six months in prison, after which I was deported back home.

The prison experience was a nightmarish ordeal. Some nights we had to sleep standing up. Conditions were harsh and, for some, fatal.

At the time, despite having explored various denominations, I didn’t strictly adhere to any one religion. However, prayer and religion played a significant role in my life while I was incarcerated, as they do for many. In prison, I joined various prayer groups, moving from one to another. After my sentencing, one of the warders assigned me to manage the prison library, citing my aptitude for literary pursuits.

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