PACE — When Pace High student Macayla Collinsworth graduated she did what thousands of other American seniors do. She went to college, because as Macyla's mother Ginger Collinsworth says, "It's what she was supposed to do."
"Going to college did not work out as Macayla had planned," said her mom.
Macayla felt there was something missing in her life and she wanted to strengthen her relationship with God. According to her mother, Macayla started looking into Christian missions as her way of growing spiritually and within.
Ginger Collinsworth said Macayla looked into a program called Hillsong and went on a mission to Peru.
"That trip lit a fire in her," her mother said.
After returning, Macayla found the GAP World Race Program. The World Race is an 11-country, 11-month mission trip to share the love of Jesus and serve others around the world.
"She is doing everything," said her mother. "She has built ovens in Guatemala, hauled concrete up mountainsides, taught English, cooked and done a lot of signing.”
Macayla finished the first leg of the trip — Guatemala — and is on the second — Thailand. Macayla travels with a group of world racers who have mentors waiting for them when they reach their destination. Macayla and her group will also travel to Myanmar and Swaziland, Africa. On the last leg of the trip, Macayla will join her parents for the last week in Mexico.
She has an online blog at Macalacollingsworth@worldRace.org and posts to whenever they are close to a cell signal. She talks about everything: finding what God wants her to do in life, living in poverty, helping the poor and sick and of course how bad the sewage situations are.
Macayla also has to do her own fundraising for the trip. She raised $12,555 of the $15,800 she needs to complete the trip. To donate, visit her blog address above and there is a place to do so.
"Macayla is more focused on other people," her mother said. "She's more nurturing, less worried about her future and selfless … Macayla's gift is her joy and laughter," says mom. "There's always a plan or purpose with God."
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This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Finding yourself around the world