Dreaming Big

When I used to think about my future, this was far from what I thought it would be like. Even now being on the field, I have been praying what direction the Lord wanted me to take once I get home. Before I left to go on the World Race, I started doing small fundraisers. One of those fundraisers was selling different baked goods, and I slowly fell in love with it. I would always joke and say that my fundraising turned into a small business. It was fun creating sweet treats and fundraising for my World Race. At this time I also began to work in the bakery department at Whole Foods. So, my love for baked goods grew even more.

I loved how creative you could be in the flavors, the decorations, and creating something that peoplew would love. I began to dream big dreams. I felt the Lord put this desire on my heart, but have definitely held back from sharing it out loud. I wanted to share what those dreams are and how God has spoken into it while being on the field.

With my love for sweet treats and creating them, I have dreamt of having a bakery. I have imagined myself creating treats and having my own place to sell them and creating a shop that would be inivting for people. A little twist on the dream, not only a bakery but also a flower shop. At work, people would always come up to the counter and have a bouqet of flowers for someones birthday, anniversary, or any occasion. Even for weddings, people order cakes but also order flowers for their weddings. Like, I said I have been dreaming some big dreams. So, I want people to come in and get a 2 for 1 experience. If they need cakes and flowers, boom!!! If they just need a cake, boom!!! If people like plants in general, like I do, come on in!!! A bakery/flower shop is where the dream started, but there is more!

My calling to missions is also where God has been leading me into, but I know that He put this business idea in my heart. In order to help with the finances of being a missionary, my business plan (funny how businessy I sound because I am far from an expert on this) is to use half of my profits to support either myself on the field or a missions organization or a missionary. Sort of like Paul, he made tents in order to support himself in his ministry and it was to help provide financially for the entire community. I also want to employ people who have a hard time getting a job, such as, single mothers, refugees, and others in need of a job and the Lord. With all of that being said, my dreams are big but I hold them losely because only the Lord knows where He will lead me.

While being on the field, the Lord has grown that desire to have my own bakery by highlighting several bakeries around the world. It has been so sweet to see the bakeries in Guatemala, Romania, Albania, and Turkey and their authentic treats. Also seeing the little things, such as how the bakeries are designed and decorated. I have walked into countless of bakeries while being on the field and have felt the desires of opening my own each time. I want to my bakery to showcase different countries and their desserts. I have loved to see how different the cakes are from Guatemala to Albania. Or even the covrigi’s only located in Romania. The Lord has brought me to several bakeries, but one in particular has been a bakery in Turkey.

Amy and I were exploring our new town, Ayvacik, and we walked past a bakery and just pointed it out but continued to walk. But the Lord had different plans because all of a sudden the rain began to POUR! We decided to run back to the bakery and ended up grabbing some tea and bread. We introduced ourselves and instantly fell in love with the place.

Long story short, this bakery is home. The workers there have become like family, like literally we call them our “Turkish mom and dad.” I visit the bakery almost every day and every time I walk in, they embrace me with a hug and we just chat like we have known each other our whole lives. They have even taught me a little Turkish! Their sons have taught us Turkish customs, shown us around the town and we play ping pong each chance we can get. I am honestly preparing my heart when we leave because it will truly be a hard goodbye. We have gotten to share the Gospel with them, so it has been amazing to see how God worked that rain pour to highlight this family in order to share the Gospel with them.

The desires and dreams I have are big. There are often times where I question them and have doubt that I would ever be able to make my dreams come true. But, I have prayed and trusted that the Lord will keep my ways straight. I give my plans up to the Lord if He chooses to take me in a different route, I just simply want to walk in obedience to Him. Lord willing, soon I will have my own bakery, where people will walk in and feel the Lords presence, and see the vision behind it and want to support the Gospel movement amongst the nations.

Please pray for my next steps. We have four more months until the Race ends, so pray that the Lord guides me, but also keeps me present while I am on the field. Pray for this big dream of mine! Pray for the countries we have been to and for the Gospel to continue spreading. Also pray for my sweet Turkish family. Pray that their hearts be opened to Jesus and that they surrender their lives to Him. We praise God because their sons have begun to read the Bible and have asked some good questions! Thank you for your constant prayers!

Also, some exciting news! My family is heading to Costa Rica for ten days on a missions trip with my home church!! So exciting to hear my family go once again this year while I am on the field as well. If you would love to hear more about it, please reach out to either of them. And if you would love and feel led to give financially for their mission trip, I will link all of their donation links! Thank you for supporting the Quintana family!!!

https://denverunited.gomethod.app/!/26235/2023-costa-rica/participants/287645/donate (Momma Q)

https://denverunited.gomethod.app/!/26235/2023-costa-rica/participants/286158/donate (Geny)

https://denverunited.gomethod.app/!/26235/2023-costa-rica/participants/252433/donate?fbclid=IwAR16Y6UJKKb1FUzmOfc6VgSAXTQNJm9JCq1pU6vQDq-STae7XGWFKRsSdvo (Sarita)

https://denverunited.gomethod.app/!/26235/2023-costa-rica/participants/295001/donate (Dad)

Blessings,

Joana Quintana