So, here begins the short summary of me before you meet the real me :)

   Well, my name is Betsy Natica Corbran, a tad strange I know, but hey, my parents were into family names, so I got stuck with the same names my 65-year-old relatives had. And yes, Betsy is my full name; it’s what’s on my birth certificate, not Elizabeth. As for nicknames, people have shortened Betsy as far as it can go, but if you feel especially creative to think of something-go for it :)

   I go to Eastern University in St. Davids, PA, just outside of Philly. My hometown, however, is Winsted, CT. While I love being home every once in awhile, I’m definitely a traveling heart born in a small town, so “once in awhile,” is the key term. At Eastern I’m a social work major with hopes of being a counselor for missionary families on furlough. I also would really like to be an English teacher for missionary kids on the field at some point.

   My job, well, when I’m home I work at the lovely Dunkin Donuts, and when I’m at school I work at “Jammin Java,” an on-campus Starbucks-like coffee shop. I’m also a pretty busy babysitter and have a family of wonderful girls that I spend as much time as I can with when I’m home. Like many of you guys, I worked at a summer camp, called Tuscarora in Mt. Bethel, PA. It was probably one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I had the opportunity to share my testimony via video to about 400 kids and then counsel many afterwards. I also work with youth at my home church and when I’m home am really involved in youth ministry there.

As for hobbies, I’ll have you all know straight off the bat; I am not a sports girl. My mom made me play soccer for five years and I was never into it. I hate running with a passion, I just get bored. I’ve been dancing since age 4, and that’s truly what gets me excited. Start playing some music and automatically my mind will start choreographing. I love musical theater and acting, I’ve been doing that since middle school. Currently I’m in a traveling drama ministry at Eastern called “Transformed” where we travel to schools, churches, youth retreats, etc. and perform and minister to people.

   Others things I like….well…I hate white chocolate, it even smells fake-dark is the way to go. I have 4 younger brothers who I adore with all my heart, and I learn something new from each one of them all the time. They’re 17, 16, 13, and 6; each one is incredible in their own way and I’m so blessed to have them in my life. My parents are amazing, and I’ve learned far more from them than I ever expected to (the things you learn once you get to college :) For example, I’ve learned what an amazing model of a man my father is, and what a prayer warrior my mother is. I also love crunchy peanut butter, making music videos with my best friend from CT, snow days, patterned tights, wearing legwarmers with boots, fun headbands, Disney, getting lost when going somewhere so it turns into an adventure, and lots of other things you’ll just have to find out! J

   As for previous missions experience, indeed, I have gone on a trip before. In the summer of 2009 I went on an Ambassador’s trip with AIM to the Dominican Republic for one month; and it was absolutely wonderful, challenging, exciting, educational, uplifting, and made me realize for real why furloughs exist.

   Finally, for this trip: I’m excited to first of all, get to know all of you as a team. Secondly, I’m excited to get to know the Ugandan people. After researching so much of their history, it will be somewhat surreal to truly get to know them on a personal level, to call people by name and play with children. Simply, I’m excited to love on Uganda. What I’m nervous about? Two main things: not raising the funds and the fact that I’m not going to be able to work over the summer. I know I have to trust God to provide, because He can and He will, as He’s done in the past. It’s just scary sometimes not knowing where money is going to come from or on what time frame. Lastly, how God’s been speaking to me about this trip: Basically, He made His plan pretty obvious about me going Uganda; I didn’t really have a choice about it. The short version is this, through a series of violently obvious events varying in form, God said “Betsy, GO.” So I’m going, and it’s going to be an adventure :)