- May 5, 2024
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One day, Cara Cologero hopes to be a full-time missionary.
In the past three years, she has been on three mission’s trips with her church, Epic Church — twice to Guatemala and once to Costa Rica.
In November, Cologero will embark on a new kind of trip: one she is taking by herself, with an independent ministry, Joni and Friends.
Joni and Friends encompasses several ministries, but the one that caught Cologero’s eye is Wheels for the World. Since 1994, Wheels for the World has delivered wheelchairs to impoverished countries. While on her trip, Cologero’s team will distribute about 200 wheelchairs along the northern coast of Peru.
“There are so many people with disabilities in other countries where a wheelchair might cost them an entire year’s salary,” said Cologero, whose passion and heart are for people with disabilities.
“It’s very inspiring to see people who would otherwise be helpless, succeed,” she said. “It’s the ultimate underdog story. Somebody rising to the occasion and overcoming their handicap. It's inspiring to see that, and I feel like part of who I am, part of how I was woven, finds a lot of joy in being a person who can help somebody who is feeling helpless find hope.”
Cologero, who works as a certified occupational therapy assistant at Grand Oaks, in Palm Coast, said people with disabilities in other countries are treated as outcasts. They are shunned away because of their handicap, and they don't have the chance to get medical assistance, she said. This is not only something she wants to help change, but something she also wants to bring awareness to.
“It’s not easy to leave this amazing United States of America where we take for granted that we have light at the flip of a switch and clean water flowing from every part of our homes,” Cologero said. “But I choose to leave because you don’t know how privileged we are until you get out of the country and see it for yourself.”
Before taking off for the trip, Cologero needs to raise $700 reach the trip cost of $2,200. But more than the money, Cologero asks for words of encouragement throughout her 12-day trip.
“I get really encouraged by other people’s stories,” she said.
To share stories or encouraging words, visit Cologero’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WFTW.Peru?fref=ts
To donate
Visit www.joniandfriends.org/support
Name: Cologero (be sure there is no space at the end)
Account No.: 280207
All donations are tax deductible.
