January 13, 2014
Dear Christ Church,
On Saturday, January 11, the Northern Illinois Conference 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
Donations
If you would like to help with the medical costs, donations can be sent the following ways:
• transferred by wire or account transfer to Humboldt Park UMC, Account #561542984, at Liberty Bank for Savings, 2392 N. Milwaukee, Chicago IL 60647. The phone number is 773-384-4000.
• mailed or dropped off to Humboldt Park United Methodist Church, 2120 N. Mozart Avenue, Chicago IL 60647. Checks should be made out to “Humboldt Park UMC with a note in the memo line “Pastor Nieves Medical Emergency.”
• Pay Pal at CandelariaSpirit@gmail.com
• For more information follow Humboldt Park UMC on Facebook www.facebook.com/HumboldtParkUMC.
Prayer Vigil for Rev. Nieves – Tonight at 7pm
Please join the Humboldt Park UMC community for a prayer vigil Monday, Jan. 13 at 7pm at the church located at 2120 N. Mozart St., Chicago, IL. Follow the church’s Facebook page for updates and more information.