Why can't I join my friend's Halo 3 Party?

[BMTH22]

I live in America, and he lives in Australia. Whenever I try to join his Halo 3 party it says The request to join has timed out. It is really making me mad. Does anyone know what the problem is and how I can fix it?

 

[Lux et Salus]

Both of your connections are probably not, as xbox calls it, open. Open players can play with anyone, while not open players can only play with open players.

Its either what I stated above or one of you currently has a terrible internet connection.