Alayna Wood always had a passion to teach and help others, but she discovered a lot more about herself during the past several days.

The 20-year-old daughter of Eric and Jayda Wood of Austin had an eye-opening experience when she went on her first-ever mission trip — in Haiti.

“It really opened my eyes to see what other parts of the world are like,” Alayna said, whose family attends First Baptist Church in Austin.

Alayna returned to Florida on Thursday after holding bible school, working on the Cap Haitien orphanage and worshiping alongside fellow Christians in Haiti. She has always wanted to teach, but now, she may want to do even more.

“I would love to do mission work or teach overseas,” she said. “That would be amazing.”

If Alayna ever returns to Haiti, she hopes to stay longer than her recent 10-day trip, so she can learn more about the culture and spend more time with children in orphanages. Alayna’s mother isn’t surprised, and has been fully supportive of her daughter’s endeavors.

“That’s totally her thing,” Jayda said. “When this opportunity came up to go to Haiti, it was wonderful for her and for us. It has just been a dream for her.”

Alayna, who attended Hollandale Christian School and is an Albert Lea High School graduate, will graduate from Clearwater Christian College in a year and a half with a degree in elementary education.