Kodjo sat alone on a bench at the medical screening. His expression was intensely serious. The young husband and father had a tumor the size of a grapefruit covering his right cheek and curling behind his ear. It had been growing since he was twelve years old.
Kodjo had been an auto mechanic until the tumor grew so large that it got in the way of his work. To provide for his family, he began driving a taxi. But the unsightly growth was having a negative effect on that job, too.
The tumor was draining the joy out of his life. He loved to play several sports, especially football (soccer), but the growth prevented him from playing. He also quit going to church because he felt so self-conscious.
Then a radio announcement about Mercy Ships radio changed everything. A hospital ship, the Africa Mercy , was coming to Togo. He had heard about Mercy Ships when the ship was in Togo in 2003, but Kossin wasn't in Togo at that time and could not get there before the ship's field service ended.
This time, he made sure he got there in time. The volunteer doctors performed the surgery to remove the tumor - free of charge. Although Kodjo's total recovery will take a few weeks, he can return to a more normal life now. He excitedly declared, " I can go back to being a mechanic. I can go back to church. I'm going to start everything. I can do anything now!"
As he left the ship, Kodjo thanked God for everything that had happened to him onboard the ship. " The hand of God is in everything here ," he stated.
Written by Elaine B. Winn
Photos by Debra Bell
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