 | | Rev. Ramon Nieves and his wife Yolanda |
On Saturday, January 11, we received information that Rev. Ramon Nieves, Pastor of Humboldt Park United Methodist Church, was severely injured the day before in Guatemala City where he was participating in a volunteer mission trip with his wife, Yolanda. We learned that Rev. Nieves was in critical condition on a ventilator and in an induced coma after losing consciousness in a pool and being underwater for an extended period of time.
Since then Chicago Northwestern District Superintendent Rev. Zaki L. Zaki has been in close communication with Rev. Nieves' family in Chicago as well as with his wife, Yolanda and his sister, Ivette, who later flew to Guatemala City to be with him. Because of the critical nature of Rev. Nieves' condition, the family's focus during the past few days has been on gathering resources to transport him by a medical plane from Guatemala City to Chicago.
Since the Nieves' insurance does not cover such an expense, many individuals, congregations, and community groups have stepped up and began to actively solicit funds to raise $27,885.00 needed to pay for the cost of bringing him back to Chicago on a medical plane.
With gratitude for the generosity of many, including several United Methodist congregations, groups, and individuals, the Northern Illinois Conference is also supporting the Humboldt Park UMC congregation and the Nieves family to help them pay for the expense of flying Rev. Nieves back home to get the care he needs.
Please pray for Rev. Nieves, his family and the congregation of Humboldt Park UMC. I also ask that we put legs to our prayers and extend our support, including donations through Humboldt Park UMC.
~Bishop Sally Dyck
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