New Life

His gentle eyes betrayed his desperate hope. " I came here so I could get help ," said Lawson, struggling to speak clearly. A large growth stretched his mouth and cheeks horribly, causing his teeth to stick out in all directions. It had been growing for four years, inhibiting his breathing, eating, and speech and, eventually, his ability to work.

The tumor destroyed his life, separating him from everyone and everything he loved. The people in his village would not sell him food because they said he was a devil. His wife left him, leaving behind their three children. Without work or food, he could not provide for his family.

So, Lawson, once one of Ghana's most prominent football (soccer) players, now hid inside his house.

Then, a radio announcement said that a hospital ship, the Africa Mercy , would soon be coming to Togo, offering surgeries free of charge. Daring to hope, Lawson left his children in his mother's care and went to the patient screening.

Lawson was literally at the brink of death as the tumor slowly suffocated him. He was immediately admitted to the hospital ship, with surgery the next day. It took three doctors eight hours to remove the benign growth and repair his nose, upper lip, and cheek. The large amount of blood required during surgery was donated by crew members.

Lawson was overjoyed when he touched the bandages on his cheek ? the tumor was gone! There will be more surgeries within the next year to complete the reconstruction of his face, but the immediate result saved and restored his life.

Unable to hold back tears of joy, a delighted Lawson exclaimed, "I can't believe what has happened to me. It is a miracle! My way was crooked, but nowmy way is straight. Now, I am a man!"

Lawson can hardly wait to surprise his family with his transformation. He is anxious to eat real food again ? especially his mother's ademe, a stew made with legumes, fish and red oil. Then he will think about starting his new life.

He has photos of what he looked like before surgery and after. "I want to show pictures to everybody, so people can see what Mercy Ships did for me. Everybody who sees me, they will be surprised," he grinned. "I survived! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Amen!"

Written by Elaine B. Winn
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by: Debra Bell

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A joyful Lawson waves goodbye after successful surgery.

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Lawson goes knuckle to knuckle with Nurse Richard,
( whom he adopted as his father.)

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Lawson points to heaven, thanking God for his second "salvation" as he says good bye.

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With a joyful smile, Lawson gives a ?thumbs up' as he
leaves the Africa Mercy for home.

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Lawson praises God with a joyful heart for the surgery aboard
the Africa Mercy that saved his life.
 
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Lawson before surgery Lawson a few days after surgery.
A big smile on his face

 
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Lawson before surgery Lawson after surgery

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Lawson says he will show everyone the photos of what he looked
like before he came to Mercy Ships.