Won't you be my neighbor? - Part 2

Sorry this is a few days late.

I thought I should at least do A's b-day post seeing as though it too was already late. So our recent neighbor experiences...

#1 - Answers

We have been praying the last few weeks that some opportunities would arise to either have the neighbors over or at least spend some time with them.

Last Sunday the kids were playing outside and the neighbor boys ended up coming over to hang out for awhile. While talking to the boys we learned that their parents had kicked them out of the house because they, the parents, were trying to tile the kitchen floor. I realized that with the kitchen in disrepair the neighbors might have troubles cooking up dinner that evening, so after going back and forth about it we asked them over for a BBQ that night. I don't know why I was hesitant (is anyone ever hesitant at inviting unknown people over to their personal space?), it was a great opportunity to serve them while they were working on their kitchen. We had been praying for an opportunity and here it was.

We all walked over to their house and invited them over. They took us up on the offer and came over for a BBQ letting their new kitchen tiles rest a bit. They ended up staying almost three hours. We really had a good time talking to them about the school and community around us. We also told them about why we moved to the area (church re-plant? and talked about church in general for a while. A good time and we are thankful for the opportunity God gave us.

Their boys go to the school around the corner from us. It was good to talk to the the mom and dad about the school as we are considering sending Jolene there in a year or two. The school is only to grade 6 and has about 400 students. Not very big. It is a block from our house so she could easily walk there or ride her scooter. We will see how next year goes.

So take the opportunities as they come. Playing outside in the front yard/street is great when wanting to meet the neighbors. This is especially true on Sat/Sun when people tend to be home more often. During the week we hardly see anyone outside.

#2 The Red Snapper

That same Sunday we were outside talking to some other friends who stopped by the house. We noticed something going on in the drive way of our next-door neighbors and decided to wander over.

We get over there to see that the entire driveway is covered with fish, large fish. Apparently red snapper to be exact. Theo told us that he had been away all week fishing and this was the catch. He also said they had caught about 40 snapper, although one of the eskies (cooler) fell off the back of the ute and had tossed its contents all over the highway. Theo, being the very generous neighbor he is, offered us a snapper. I told him we would take one off his hands but that I didn't really know what to do with it after that. "I'll send my mom over", Theo replied.

Come Monday mid-morning, Theo's mom knocked on the door. I grabbed the fish form the fridge and we went out back. Here is what happened next.

Taking the scales off

The girls watching intently

Taking the guts out

Removing the gills

Wash

Egg sacks. You are supposed to dip them in flour and then fry. I forgot.

Gills

Inside of eye

Head for fish-head soup

Yum!

We roasted the snapper that evening. It was delicious. The kids had seconds and thirds. We ate the entire fish. I boiled the head and made soup out of the stock. It turned into one big gelatinous mass while sitting over night in the fridge. Kind of funny looking the next day when dumping it into the pot. The soup was supposedly better then the fillets, according to B that is. I don't know if I would agree. I would have to say that they were both very tasty.

While we were watching Carol clean our fish the story of Jesus going to recruit his disciples came to mind. They used to be fishermen but were then called to be "fishers of men". Spending time with people in whatever form it may take is certainly part of being fishers of men. Helping others out and then be willing to accept the help and generosity of others. You never know where the conversations will go. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn from Carol and thankful that Theo was willing to share some of his catch.

#3 Keep Trying 

After trying for several weeks Gu finally came to lunch (he moved in with a fellow classmate several months ago). We tried to arrange something a few weeks ago, and then for Thanksgiving and then finally for last Sunday lunch. We enjoyed catching up with Gu. It has been several months since he moved out, making it difficult to keep in touch with him.
I would like to have him over again soon to talk more about work and life. He told us that he wants to study banking so that he can be a banker and make lots of money. I asked him what he was going to do with all his money? Gu said "buy things." I asked "like what?" Gu responded "I don't know, maybe anime." I couldn't help laughing at that answer. It would be nice to talk to him more about having purpose in life, how materialism will never satisfy and other heart matters. Maybe in the future.

Gu is certainly not someone who is easy to have over. I always feel like I am interrogating him and he hardly ever asks us questions. Hospitality isn't always easy or comfortable, this is one of those situations. We are learning that there can be silence for several minutes in our conversations with him and it is OK. I am also learning to interpret his answers a bit better. I think learning to listen carefully and keep trying are the key lessons we are learning with Gu.