Thierry is a cheerful man who loves soccer and spending time with friends. At 41, he is known for his sociable nature and easy laughter. But for more than a decade, something had weighed on his cheerful spirit.
When Thierry was 25, he noticed a small bump on his face. It did not hurt. In fact, he admits he often fidgeted with it, thinking it was nothing to worry about. But over time, it began to grow.
“It got bigger,” he recalled. “It didn’t hurt, but I felt exhausted when I lifted or carried heavy loads, and my muscles were tense.”
To provide for his family, he’s worked many physically demanding jobs, but over time the strain caused the swelling to increase. What started as a small bump became a large tumor that visibly altered the shape of his face and gradually reshaped his life.
For a man who enjoyed being out with friends, the change was painful.
He steadily began to withdraw from carrying the physical weight of the mass and the emotional burden of being constantly seen and whispered about. At times, he wondered how long he could live with it.
“I couldn’t carry this until I’m old,” he said quietly. “Because it might weigh two pounds now, then six pounds, then tons.”
Bring hope and healing to others like Thierry
Thierry did what he could to get medical help. With his family’s assistance, he went to the doctor and had tests. But the reality was discouraging.
“They said it’s about the bone,” he explained. “And the surgery is expensive.”
Even the cost of imaging was beyond his means. His family supported him however they could, helping with food and accompanying him to appointments, but surgery remained out of reach.
Still, Thierry held on to hope.
One day, a family member saw an announcement on television about the Africa Mercy’s return to Madagascar and called him with the news. For the first time in years, a door seemed to open.
“They informed me that Mercy Ships offers free surgery,” he said.
People around him worried that the news was insincere and cautioned Thierry to stay away. But despite warnings and voices predicting the worst, Thierry moved forward in faith.
“I didn’t listen to them because I knew that it was truly God who sent me here,” he shared. “Jesus is present in Mercy Ships. This season proves to me that God exists.”
When Thierry arrived at the Africa Mercy, he was welcomed by volunteer crew who were ready to walk with him on his journey to healing.
A team of surgeons removed the tumor, relieving him of the burden and pain he’d carried for years. When he finally saw himself without the tumor after the operation, the emotion was overwhelming.
“I am really happy with how my face has changed,” he said. “It is not like it was before. It was so heavy. Now it’s so light, and I can speak well!”
As his strength returned, so did his confidence. During recovery, Thierry found joy in simple moments, conversations with the surgeons, time in the wards, and daily visits from the Chaplaincy team.
“I truly thank God,” he said. “And I thank you all for caring for us, whether those who wear blue scrubs or those who prepare the food. Thank God also for the Chaplaincy team who come every day to pray with us.”
Now fully recovered, Thierry is back home, ready to rebuild his life at his own pace. As he regains strength, he is already thinking about the future, earning a driver’s license, and finding work.
Most of all, Thierry is ready to step back into society without fear. “Once the surgery is done,” he said earlier, “I will confidently show myself.”
Now, he can.