GOOD NIGHT MAMA
As white as the sky, the bluish parts would always be there; Alma (Rohm) had certain bitter experiences. The worst among them happened in 1961.
She prepared for the Nigerian Baptist Convention session holding in Port- Harcourt. She drove in her two-door car with another woman missionary Miss Montroy Edith sitting by her side and three senior students of the Baptist College at the back seat. The River Niger bridge had not been built, and so vehicles had to be packed (sic) somewhere close to the river, the occupants crossed over to the other side in a ferry boat. The road was narrow, sloppy and steepy. As Alma drove near the river, alas! the break failed! She did not want to plunge into the river and so she ran the car to hit a tool-booth close to the river. The car scattered! Alma and the other missionary became unconscious for they were badly injured. Only the students sustained minor injuries. Radio Nigeria caught the scene and reported that Alma and the other missionary had died.
Many of the convention delegates trooped to the scene of the accident. Hospitals were few in those days, there were no X-ray equipment. However, the Shell Petroleum hospital at Port-Harcourt had just begun operation. Alma and the other missionary were flown there in an helicopter. The hospital management did its best to revive Alma and Montroy. Alma had a broken ankle, legs, hands, ribs and jaws. Her eyes and sense of smelling were also affected. The forehead was seriously pierced and narowly spared the veins connected with thinking; else, she could have developed mental problems. The left eye was cut opened and glass particles were removed. She lost her sense of smelling and the doctor confirmed this as a permanent damage. However, Alma and the other missionary were responding to treatment.
Three weeks later they were flown in an aeroplane to Lagos for further treatments. Yet, Alma could neither see clearly nor been (sic) able to hold her head up. She was like a baby. The case of he other missionary was as bad as that of Alma.
The two missionaries returned to America for further treatments. Alma began to see fairly with the right eye which was as red as scarlet while the left eye was completely blind. She could neither open her mouth wide nor been (sic) able to sing for a very long time. She was operated upon several times and began to rise up again but never as before. Look at Alma's back, she was not born that way, and neither did she come to Nigeria like that, the accident remoulded her with a little hunch! Two years later, Alma returned to Nigeria to continue her missionary activities. However, the other missionary was not that lucky. She continued to battle with her injuries and only came back to Nigeria briefly for a send off. She returned to America where she eventually died and was buried.
Six years later, Alma's eyes became white again and her broken jaw fully healed up, so she could sing again. Also, when she was 70 years old i.e.in 1995, she regained her sense of smelling and so, she could smell again as against the doctor's prediction. She was happy.
Alma did not allow all that happened to hinder her from carrying out the work of the Lord. In fact, she had another terrible accident in 1983 and was also flown to America yet she came back to Nigeria for the love of the Master. She counted all that happened as mere distraction, obstacle, hindrance, blockage, trial, and storm that should be expected at some major junctions of breakthrough in life. She knew the darkest point of the night was just before the dawn. She decided to work, no matter the odds, till the Saviour comes. What a dedicated, faithful, visionary, resolute and hardworking missionary!
Alma's favourite song "Jesus is all the world to me" is excellently congruent with her disposition to the task of evangelism.
CULLED FROM HER BIOGRAPHY Chief (mama) Dr. Alma Hazel Rohm - A RARE GEM authored by Evangelist Dr Rotimi A. Animasahun.
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