Cameroon & Rwanda

Yaoundé, Cameroon & Kigali, Rwanda

Introduction

At the beginning of every year, I prayerfully write a list of nations to cover in intercession. For 2025, Cameroon and Rwanda were at the top of that list. Though my heart longed to visit both countries, I assumed it would not be possible through the mission organization I was serving with at the time. Still, I prayed faithfully, learned about the nations, engaged with people from those regions, and trusted that God would open the right doors in His timing.

In April, He did exactly that.

While checking my email one morning, I opened my seminary’s alumni newsletter, something I rarely do. Inside was an announcement that another alumna was organizing her first mission trip to Cameroon and Rwanda in partnership with the nonprofit she founded. I reached out immediately. Our first conversation lasted for hours and it was clear that God had orchestrated a divine connection. I prayed afterward and sensed strongly that God was calling me to join the trip.

What I could not see yet was that God was not simply opening a mission opportunity. He was redirecting my entire ministry journey and laying the foundation for BRIDGE Nations.

A Divine Shift and the Birth of BRIDGE Nations

For a year, I had been support raising through the mission organization I served with. About fifteen thousand dollars had been donated to support my ministry, including a recent anonymous pledge of one thousand dollars a month. I was excited about the possibility of connecting C Life with that organization. However, the responses I received made it clear that God had a different direction for me.

After prayer, wise counsel, and much reflection, I realized that remaining exclusively with that organization did not align with the broader way God wanted to use me. I transitioned into serving only on their curriculum team and began the process of launching my own nonprofit dedicated to equipping and supporting mission organizations globally. That is how BRIDGE Nations was established.

This decision required faith and courage, but it created space for God to move in ways I could not have anticipated. The founder of C- Life invited me to co-lead and help develop trainings for the trip. Funding remained a challenge since most donations were restricted to my previous organization. Eventually, they agreed to release the funds that were not donor-restricted. It was a powerful reminder that God always provides for the assignment He gives.

During this time, I was also seeking full-time employment. Support raising was extremely difficult, and I had no peace about continuing. I was juggling several part-time roles and still could not meet my financial needs. After applying widely, I was hired by a charter school that graciously worked around my international travel dates.

With God’s provision and confirmation at every step, I prepared to embark on one of the most meaningful missions of my life.

Journey to Cameroon

My trip began on September 10th with a flight from Houston and layovers in Newark and Brussels. I arrived in Yaounde on September 11th, exhausted but grateful. C Life staff greeted us warmly. Because we had already met some team members virtually, it felt more like reconnecting with family than meeting for the first time. 

Orientation and Cultural Immersion

The next day was filled with orientation activities. We toured the C Life office, explored Cameroonian history, and visited a gorilla sanctuary. We also had the privilege of meeting a well-known senator who spoke with us about the nation’s political landscape as the country approached its presidential election. These conversations gave us valuable insight into the environment our students were navigating.

Commissioning Day

We then participated in C Life’s program graduates commissioning service, where young leaders celebrated completing their discipleship and leadership development training. The joy in the room was contagious. It was inspiring to witness their readiness to serve God and their communities with purpose and excellence.

Sunday Worship and Ministry

On Sunday, we attended a bilingual church service led by a pastor who had studied in the United States. He preached in English with French translation. During ministry time, we prayed with members of the congregation. I was reminded of my first mission trip to South Africa where language did not hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. God speaks to the heart, even when we do not share the same language.

Training and Leadership Development

Later that afternoon, we facilitated three major training sessions on Christian Discipleship, Servant Leadership, and Career Development. More than seventy English and French-speaking young adults attended. Their questions were thoughtful, and their eagerness to grow was refreshing.

Every time I teach about the things of God in Africa, something awakens in me. There is a unique joy that rises when I see young leaders discover their purpose and calling. The room was filled with brilliant minds and future leaders of Cameroon. After the sessions, we took photos, exchanged encouragement, and celebrated the hunger for learning that filled the space.

Impact Stories

The next day, we visited the workplace of several C Life alumni. One couple shared a beautiful testimony about how they had built a medical clinic together that now offers acupuncture and hopes to expand into telehealth in partnership with medical professionals from the United States. Their vision, compassion, and intentionality were inspiring.

That evening, we joined others connected to C Life for a farewell dinner. The gathering was full of warmth and meaningful conversation. We turned in early so we could wake up before sunrise to drive to Douala for our flight to Rwanda.

Welcome to Rwanda

We arrived in Kigali in the evening and joined a travel group exploring business investment opportunities in the city. Even though the purpose of their trip differed from ours, the presence of God was evident among all of us.

A City of Reflection and Hope

Kigali is beautiful, clean, and remarkably peaceful. Our first day included a city tour and a visit to the Genocide Memorial. The experience was sobering and heartbreaking. The atrocities committed against innocent men, women, and children were beyond devastating. Standing in that memorial created a deep humility in me. Yet seeing what Rwanda is today revealed the magnitude of God’s grace, the strength of compassionate leadership, and the power of a people who chose reconciliation over hatred.

Ministry with ALARM

The following day we connected with ALARM, a mission organization dedicated to reconciliation in war-torn nations. Their work moved me deeply. Through ALARM, we visited Kanazi, the Village of Forgiveness and Testimonies. Residents shared how God helped them forgive and live in community with individuals who had taken the lives of their loved ones. Through repentance, confession, forgiveness, and national initiatives for unity, these families rebuilt their communities together. Hearing their stories firsthand was life-changing.

We later went on a prayer walk through the city. God’s presence rested heavily on Kigali. I left that day feeling both peaceful and expectant.

A Vision for the Future

As we explored Rwanda, my heart for education began to stir. I sensed that BRIDGE Nations would one day play a role in educational development or training in Kigali. I do not have the details yet, but I believe God will reveal the next steps when the time is right.

This mission trip was transformative. I met extraordinary men and women of God who encouraged, challenged, and sharpened me. They may never fully know how deeply they impacted me. I do not know when I will return, but I am confident that God will open another door.

The Journey Ahead

This is only the beginning for BRIDGE Nations. We are prayerfully preparing for the next country or countries the Lord would have us serve. Will it be Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, or Ghana? There are so many possibilities, and we choose to follow the timing and plan of God.

We invite you to continue partnering with us through prayer and donations or by joining us on our next mission trip in 2027. Together, we can continue equipping leaders, strengthening communities, and advancing the Kingdom of God across nations.

Cameroon

Rwanda

A Word from C-Life Founder, Sheila Etonga