Lawson was a joy to care for on the patient ward. He sought treatment for a large, benign tumor affecting his upper jaw. His tumor was ameloblastoma which develops in the jaw, often at the site of the third molar, and may involve tissue from the eye sockets or sinuses. Ameloblastoma is formed from remnants of cells that, under normal circumstances, develop into tooth enamel. Lawson's tumor continued to grow over the course of 4 years. He arrived on the ship with a piece of cloth tied around the back of his head to hide the tumor. Individuals with disfiguring conditions such as ameloblastoma are
often cast away from their villages, viewed as being cursed or punished by ancestral spirits or gods for something they or a family member has done. They often live isolated lives in hiding, apart from their family and village which is especially difficult in a culture which so greatly values community and interdependence. Ameloblastoma tragically kills its victims who are unable to receive surgery slowly and painfully through starvation and suffocation, by eventually occluding the mouth and throat. Lawson received surgery to remove his maxilla.
His new smile says it all. Here Lawson departs the ship in his traditional dress, ready to reunite with his daughters. I feel so blessed to be able to participate in all that God is doing to show His love to West Africa. Thank you for your prayers and support to make this work possible.
Lawson was a joy to care for on the patient ward. He sought treatment for a large, benign tumor affecting his upper jaw. His tumor was ameloblastoma which develops in the jaw, often at the site of the third molar, and may involve tissue from the eye sockets or sinuses. Ameloblastoma is formed from remnants of cells that, under normal circumstances, develop into tooth enamel. Lawson's tumor continued to grow over the course of 4 years. He arrived on the ship with a piece of cloth tied around the back of his head to hide the tumor. Individuals with disfiguring conditions such as ameloblastoma are 
often cast away from their villages, viewed as being cursed or punished by ancestral spirits or gods for something they or a family member has done. They often live isolated lives in hiding, apart from their family and village which is especially difficult in a culture which so greatly values community and interdependence. Ameloblastoma tragically kills its victims who are unable to receive surgery slowly and painfully through starvation and suffocation, by eventually occluding the mouth and throat. Lawson received surgery to remove his maxilla. 
His new smile says it all. Here Lawson departs the ship in his traditional dress, ready to reunite with his daughters. I feel so blessed to be able to participate in all that God is doing to show His love to West Africa. Thank you for your prayers and support to make this work possible.
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