Rebecca Baldauf - RD

My name is Rebecca Baldauf, and I hail from Somerdale, NJ, a town just 20 minutes from Philadelphia. My upbringing was far from idyllic, with both my parents struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction. I faced verbal, controlling, and physical abuse at home, leading to a tumultuous and unstable childhood.

Following in the footsteps of my troubled parents, I too started down a path of self-destruction. I dabbled in smoking, partying, and using substances like Adderall, and worked in strip clubs starting at age 18. Despite managing to graduate high school, my life spiraled further downwards after my father's death from a heart attack in 2012. This loss, coupled with my mother's suicide and overdose in 2016, plunged me deeper into addiction, involving alcohol, cocaine, Percocet, Xanax, Adderall, and eventually heroin.

After numerous attempts at recovery, relapses, and stints in jail, I found myself stuck in a toxic cycle. At 24, the six years since my father's death felt overwhelming yet oddly familiar. My identity was wrapped up in being a stripper, a drug addict, and an object for others' use.

At my lowest point, following my mother's death, I overdosed and narrowly escaped death. This was a turning point for me. I initially moved to Florida, hoping for a fresh start, but soon fell back into my old habits. After another failed attempt at rehab, I found myself using meth, trapped in an abusive and dangerous situation.

However, during this time, I occasionally attended church and felt the presence of God. My prayers for help were finally answered when a phone call about a rehabilitation program for someone else turned into an opportunity for me. I joined the Mission Teens center in Norma, NJ, in May 2019, which marked the beginning of a transformative journey.

Through Mission Teens, I learned that recovery is possible and that I am redeemed and made new. I've been healed from my addictions and now serve as a Resident Director at the Lion's Den MBTC in northern Michigan, helping others like me. I've discovered that seeking God's kingdom first brings healing and fulfillment.

Today, I'm married and have a beautiful baby boy. My life is a testament to God's power and love, and I believe that no matter the struggle, with faith and the pursuit of God, great and powerful things can happen.

Ephesians 3:20-21
Amen