BEYOND BEANS AND RICE

For most of us here in America, red beans and rice for supper either means we're eating some food from our roots, especially if you grew up in Louisiana or on the Mississippi Gulf Coast) or it is getting near the end of month and because money is tight, we're eating cheap.

Red beans and rice are one of those foods that are easy to fix, provide a big protein punch, but don't cost a lot of money. Back in the olden days, red beans and rice were the traditional food cooked on wash day in many places, such as New Orleans.

In places like Swaziland, red beans and rice are all that stand behind starvation for all too many. All across the nation, you'll find kids --- sometimes as young as 1 or 2 years of age --- walking a mile or more to a carepoint for a meal. For many of these young ones, this simple meal of red beans and rice or mealie mush cooked in a big pot over a fire, is the only meal they will get that day. Organizations like Children's HopeChest and Adventures in Missions is doing all they can to feed these precious ones.

But food, even simple fare like rice and beans, is not free for these ministries. It takes donors to provide the funds to purchase the food that is ever increasing in price while the economy continues to struggle in ways that make our American recession look like a prosperous boom.

To raise money to buy food for children at Bheveni Carepoint in Swaziland, I'm auctioning off a beautiful, handcrafted, pewter "red beans and rice" necklace.

The red beads, silver bean shaped beads, and fresh water pearls plus the charms of a bell pepper, garlic head, onion, bottle of hot sauce, celery, sausage links, and hot pepper, along with a clasp comprised of a wash board and laundry pin all come together to make a delicous recipe of an accesory.

This piece, handcrafted by pewter artisan Maurice Milleur of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, originally sold for $65 at the Mississippi Craftsmen Guild gift shop. I am auctioning it off starting at $20.

When you wear this piece, you'll be wearing a piece of Southern culture, but you'll also wear it knowing that some beautiful children in Swaziland are being fed today, in part, because of your winning contribution. Don't want it for yourself? I bet you've got someone in your life who would love this meaningful piece of jewelry.

To enter the drawing, leave a comment with your name, contact information, and the amount of your bid. The bidding will end Sunday, August 26 at 10:00 pm.

And if you can't bid but want to help, please share this link with others through your blog or facebook. The more that know about it, the better chance of raising lots of rice and beans money for my Bheveni babies.

P.S. Thanks to my mama for donating this piece. She's such a faithful supporter of missions. I love and appreciate her so much!