Project Salud y Paz operates five clinics that serve the poor Mayan population in Guatemala. Phil Plunk is founder of Proyecto Salud y Paz (Project Health and Peace). He serves as an individual volunteer through the UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) program, working with volunteer medical/ dental teams. Salud y Paz serves the Mayan people in the Highlands. Phil works as a dentist, coordinates volunteers, trains local health care providers, and provides a link between the local people's needs and people within the USA who can meet those needs. Phil has served in Guatemala over 20 years through short-term UMVIM teams and in 2000 committed to this full-time volunteer service.
Project Salud y Paz now has 5 complete medical/dental clinics in continuous operations. In just over 6 years they have provided care to over 41,000 people. In addition to overseeing the medical clinic for the Iglesia Metodista Nacional de Guatemala, Phil is responsible for hosting over 15 medical and surgical teams in Guatemala each year.
Phil Plunk's ministry in Guatemala is supported through donations from the Endowment Fund of the Missions Committees. He has visited New Smyrna Beach Annually for three years and was here and preached at three services in October, 2006. He also spoke to Cor Meth Day School children during Chapel and was a guest speaker at New Smyrna Beach High School's Medical Academy.
Phil's recent visit stretched our minds and hearts is a very special way. He challenged us to care for all of God's people in the name and spirit of Christ. It was also apparent that our ministry here at Coronado also broadened his vision of mission efforts at Salud y Pas. Phil was inspired by his visit with our Cor Meth Day School students to start a school for 4 and 5 year olds. He is seeking help in finishing a building, currently under construction, which will become the school. Coronado has sent two construction teams (one in July and one in November) to assist in the completion of the school and has raised several thousand dollars for building materials. For more information see Phil's website: http://www.saludypaz.org/ . You can download/read his newsletter.
