Les Wiener is a life time resident of what we might call ‘Perfect City.’ This small northern Minnesota town is very similar to most rural settings in America. There is a certain amount of people who struggle financially and others who do quite well. In Les’ case, God provided him a ministry to people who come to his salvage yard to buy used parts and to sell junk cars. Les specializes in vehicles over 10 years old so he has a lot of customers who drive older vehicles who come to buy used parts from him. Some of them are broke and desperate. I asked Les to tell us in his own words about his life, his relationship with Christ and the ministry to people with ‘broken cars’ and ‘broken hearts.’ He called it…
It’s sounds easy, doesn’t it? But, we really look at life we see that many times we appear to be planted only to be replanted.
When I came back from Vietnam I married my wife Linda. We moved back to Minnesota from Rhode Island. My life’s goal at that time was to be an electrician. I went through apprentice training, took my test and became a journeyman electrician. But life wasn’t so simple.
During this time I was in a plane crash and the doctor said that to some extend I would be crippled. I drank and I didn’t know Jesus. But in 1973 I accepted Christ. That’s when life began!
Some time later, I was listening to WWJC Christian radio from Duluth, Minnesota. I heard a man say, “Why do you pray if you don’t expect an answer?” So I said, “Jesus, from now on when I pray I expect an answer!” (Childlike faith and reasoning.) And a voice said, “Okay.”
During this time, I was working out of the Saint Paul Electrician’s Local. I was told that the business agent didn’t like Vietnam veterans. The Vietnam veterans were all laid off, including me. I also started serving Jesus. I studied, prayed and sought Him. In 1976 He healed my back from the injuries from the plane crash in 1970.
My electrical business was starting to go okay by now. But in the summer of 1977 God said to go and buy my dads and uncles salvage yard. Well, at first I said no! He told me again and again. I said, “Sir, I have no money.” He said, “I’ll take care of that” (Remember planted but now replanted). I objected but He knows all things so I agreed to try. It took three tries but I was finally able to buy it.
Now the Lord spoke to me again and said; “I put you there to minister to those who don’t hear my Word or encouragement. So, I started our new spot in the garden.
At first life in this part of the garden seemed sweet. There were very few weeds, lots of sun and sweet soil. People came into the salvage yard. We sold parts, steel and whatever. During this time, Jesus sent many people into the business to hear the Word.
One day a young lady came in to sell some products for her company. I asked her if she knew Jesus. She said; “Well, I go to church on and off.” Then I asked her again if she knew Jesus. At first she was reluctant to share her faith but as I persisted, though weak and unsure, she opened up and shared her faith.
Another time a man came in and said, “I just he wanted to stop to say goodbye.” I asked him where he was going? He said, “To shoot myself!” I asked him why he would want to shoot himself? He said, “My wife divorced me, I’m all alone and no one needs me or cares. You’re the only one who talks to me.” I said, “Oh, you do realize that when you shoot yourself you’re murdering don’t you?” He said no. I told him to put his faith in Jesus. He said he knew Him but (how many time shave we said, “Yes, but…”) I can’t seem to feel His love. As we talked it seemed that he didn’t want to die.
That same day another fellow came in and said that he came to say goodbye. He said that he was going to commit suicide! I asked him if he knew Jesus? He said, “No.” We talked and I told him about Jesus. He didn’t commit suicide. As of yet he has not accepted Christ but he is looking.
One day as I was praying God said; “If I send someone to you who has no money give him what he needs.” I said, “Every poor person?” He said only give to those I tell you to.
Some time later a man came in and asked if I had some parts that he needed. I told him I did and he said, “Thanks, I’ll get back to you.” Then Jesus said, “Give him $50.” I said, “What?” Jesus said, “Give him $50!” (That’s not easy for me to do that!) I said, “If you’re sure” and I handed the guy $50!
He said, “What’s this for? I just told him that Jesus told me to give it to him! He looked at me and said, “Three days ago our house burned down and we lost everything. Our friends helped us to find a place to rent but I had to have $350 by noon today.” It was about 11:00 A.M. at the time. He said that he had raised $300 but couldn’t find anyone borrow him the other $50. He said, “So I prayed and here, of all places, He meets my needs!”
Remember how I said it seemed so nice when we bought the salvage yard. Well, God had said that there would be good years and bad, so bad that only prayer would get me through. We are in those bad years now. But He also said that they would be followed by more good years. He was talking about spiritually, financially and physically. We often don’t want to know about the tough times. It’s hard to blossom when weeds sprout up and pests are after you!
I could write a book of the things Jesus brought my way, people to minister to and troubles that have happened. But through it all we have to remember that God is the gardener and we’re the plants. Where He puts us, when we blossom and how deep our roots grow depend a lot us. What do we do with what we are given? Often we complain and refuse to do anything. We mumble up from the roots up!
Remember that God knows where you are and what you are in. Rejoice in your spot in the garden. After all, you are part of the creator’s garden and not part of the competition’s dump!
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