Thierry is a cheerful man who loves football and spending time with friends in Mahajanga, a city in Madagascar where he lives. At 41, he is known among friends for his sociable nature and easy laughter. He has tried his hand at many jobs over the years, cutting wood and selling meat, doing whatever he could to provide for himself and support his family.
However for more than a decade, something slowly began to change.
When Thierry was 25, he noticed what felt like a small pimple 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.”
As he continued working physically demanding jobs, the swelling increased. What started as a small mass became a large tumour that visibly deformed his face and gradually reshaped his life.
For a man who enjoyed being out with friends, the change was painful.
“The community and my friends always talked about me and stared at me whenever I went out,” Thierry said. “I really didn’t feel like going out anymore because some of them said, ‘Why doesn’t this guy go to the doctor to treat it?’”
He steadily began to withdraw from carrying the physical weight of the mass and the emotional burden of being constantly seen and talked 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.”
Stepping Out in Faith
Thierry did what he could to get medical help. With his family’s assistance, he went to the doctor and had tests. However the reality was discouraging.
“They said it’s about the bone,” he explained. “And the surgery is expensive, about two million Ariary (local currency).”
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.
Despite warnings from others and voices predicting the worst, Thierry moved forward in faith.
“If I had listened to my friends who told me not to come here because many people speak badly, things wouldn’t have been like this,” he said. “But I didn’t listen to them because I knew that it was truly God who sent me here, and Jesus is present in Mercy Ships.”
“This season proves to me that God exists,” he added.
Healing the Body, Renewing the Spirit
Thierry underwent surgery led by volunteer surgeons Dr. Mark Shrime from the United States and Dr. Marcin Bierc from Germany. The operation restored the normal shape of his face and full functionality of his jaw.
When he finally saw himself without the tumour, 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.”
Building a Future on His Own Terms
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.
Stories like Thierry’s are made possible through access to safe surgery and the people who help make it available. Find out how you can get involved.
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