Fishing Without A Fishing Pole (YouTube)

I may not speak Japanese yet but that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy a day of fishing out in the ocean. Fishing is a great sport for those people that don't know how to speak the same language. Everyone knows that you can't talk and catch fish at the same time. It's also a great time to bond and get to know someone by their actions, such is the case with Yoshi. He and I have had the opportunity to go fishing 4 times. The more time that I get to spend with him, the more I hope that I will have an influence for Christ on him. Yoshi is not a Christian and is old enough to be my father, but when we are out in the water we are just two fishermen enjoying the same hobby and bonding on a nonverbal level. Yoshi is a man that loves the "old" way of doing things. When we go out we fish in a style that has been done in Japan for hundreds of years. Basically you take a string, tie a weight and a hook to the end, and throw it overboard. The video shows Yoshi catching a fish. There is not a lot to this style of fishing. It is very basic from looking at the outside of it, but having the skill to catch fish is totally different. There is no pole to help you keep tension on the line so you have to use your fingers. Watch out! The line will cut your finger or break it if you are not careful. I am hoping that I'll be able to go a couple more times before the year is out.
Yoshi is holding a great fish Red Snapper in the picture above. Riz is a member of our church and wanted to try his luck at fishing as well. It was nice that he came along to help with translation and just to enjoy learning Japanese fishing. I don't remember the name of the fish that I caught, but it was very delicious. There is nothing like fresh fish! In the Bible Paul talks about becoming all things in order that some might be saved, that is my goal. Right now in this picture I AM a fisherman.