What started out as participating in mission trips with the youth group at Abundant Life Church in Birdsboro has evolved into a full-time ministry career for Tabitha Donahue, who is now serving with Overland Missions.

Donahue, 18, who was homeschooled and attended Twin Valley High School part time, took part in three mission trips with the youth group. The first trip was to Romania in 2023.

"While we were there, we went to a local orphanage and got to know the kids there, and we also had a vacation Bible school (VBS) program in the Gypsy villages," she noted. "When I got back from Romania, it was amazing and it felt so right. It was the best time getting to share the Gospel with those kids."

Future trips took her to Costa Rica and then Hawaii. "A year (after Romania) I went to Costa Rica with my church," Donahue said. "It was an incredible experience. I got to give out food to different members in the community, helped with building projects and did another VBS. The last trip I did with my youth group was to Hawaii. We removed invasive plants to prevent wildfires and did homeless and foster care ministry."

These trips cemented her decision to go into full-time mission work. "I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. Going into mission work, I thought if this is something that feels right, then maybe I will do this," she said. "I graduated (high school) in the beginning of 2025, and I went to a training for Overland Missions in August in Zambia, Africa."

Donahue took part in a three-month Advanced Mission Training (AMT) program with Overland, graduating in November of 2025. "During the training, about half the time we did classes that ranged from theology classes to Bible history and leadership to medical classes and engineering. It was almost like a primitive college campus," she explained. "The other half of the time we went on three expeditions. For two of them, it was going into rural parts of Africa and setting up tents and going out into the villages and speaking with people who live there."

She said that a lot of the residents spoke English, but a translator was also provided. "They were very welcoming and hospitable to us. The organization makes contact with the chiefs and head men in those areas. It makes sense to go places where we are wanted," she noted. "Zambia is a largely Christian nation but in the villages a lot of people may identify as Christian, but their knowledge of (Christianity) is very surface level."

Following training, Donahue decided to continue with the program and will soon be working in Cambodia, which is located in southeastern Asia.

"When I finished the training with Overland Missions, you have the option to go and work with them and be a member of the organization, and I did decide to do that when I graduated the program," she said. "They have missionaries all over the world - the Middle East, Africa, eastern Asia and South America. They sometimes have recommendations. I was willing to take their advice. I just want to go and share the Gospel."

While no specific date has been set, Donahue will depart for Cambodia after fundraising. She is currently speaking to local churches and groups, recently addressing members of the Rotary Club of Twin Valley.

"I have a goal in mind, but (my departure date) is undetermined because I am in the fundraising season. I am meeting with churches and individuals," said Donahue. "I am looking for people to partner with me in prayer and financially."

While in Cambodia, she will complete a language training program and work with fellow missionaries to spread the Gospel to remote and rural communities. "The organization has different bases set up in different locations, but in Cambodia, I will be closer to the cities and probably have an apartment. The first year I will do language training part time so I can still do missions work," said Donahue. "Specific position wise, I'm not 100% sure where I will be going. They have ministries for kids and women, and they will go and look into different areas to set up bases."

Donahue will be able to communicate with her family as she did while serving in Africa, where she also faced some challenges. "It was pretty comfortable, but even when it was not, I enjoyed it," she shared. "The Lord sustained me in the (harder) times. It's about building grit."

For more information or to support Donahue's work, email tdonahue@overlandmissions.com. More information about the ministry is available at http://www.overlandmissions.com.