How to throw a Bean Party (and why!)

Reader Lacey created this fun way to bless those in need through fun, fellowship, and good friends! Check out her idea for a Bean Party, then get creative and throw your own! Enjoy…

My heart broke as I watched a video describing the suffering in Africa.  For years I never wanted to hear, because what in the world could I do about it?  Still, my heart beckoned so I asked God,

“Will you please show me if there is something more I could do? ”

His answer: Rice and beans.  

Did you know that most of the world lives off of this simple meal every day?  Here’s why…it’s cheap, healthy, versatile, and filling!  An idea was birthed.  I invited several of my friends, made two crockpots of beans, and two rice cookers full of rice.

My friends were sweet.  They came.  They brought their kids.  Everyone ate and they were pleasantly surprised it actually tasted good (I prayed hard!).  People brought whatever money it would’ve cost them to feed their family that night.  We pooled our money together and sent a check to an organization that helps fight poverty through the hope of Christ (my favorite is Compassion International).

What resulted was hanging out with people I love, a practical teaching example for our children, prayer over those less fortunate than ourselves, and the satisfying feeling of taking something mundane…dinner…and turning it into something more…glorifying.

How to throw a Bean Party::

1. Invite friends.

Pick a date and let your friends know about the party and the cause. Decide ahead of time what organization to give toward. Be enthusiastic!

2. Make beans.

To make the beans, any beans, you can buy them dry, they are super cheap this way. You soak them overnight in water. (Fill jar 1/3 full of beans, then fill to the top with water.) Then drain and rinse, then boil them in water, or stick in crockpot.  It takes about 1-2 hours for them, and sometimes you have to add more water. Don’t cover them completely or it will boil over. You know they are done when you can squish them in between your fingers.  (You can add onions and salt for flavor.)

Italian beans:

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil til cooked. Add to beans with water and chicken boullion (as much as you want for flavor) and either dry or fresh basil (fresh basil definitely tastes better). Cook on the stove top for about 15 min or in a crockpot for 2 hours.

Thai beans:

Combine 1 T. soy sauce, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons peanut butter. Stir in about 1 c. of beans (the more beans you have you should double/triple your recipe above), heat on stovetop for about 15 min or in a crockpot for 2 hours.

Chinese beans:

I like this best with white beans…Saute onions and garlic in butter. Add beans and soy sauce and chicken boullion for flavor. If you like more juice, add water b/c this can get salty (probably why I like this kind so much)!

Mexican beans:

Blend black beans, salsa and water with chicken stock. The salsa I ended up using was really hot, so I added Sassi Fresh Dips Chili Cotija dip to it that we got from Costco…it mellowed the heat a little.  You could also do plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.

3. Eat beans.

While giving money is an important part of the party, it’s also important to eat the meal. When we eat the rice and beans we’re identifying with much of the world that lives on that meal day after day.

4. Pray

Pray for those bound by poverty. Pray specifically. Choose a country. Look up online for specific needs.

5. Give

Count the money everyone contributes and give through a reputable organization to those in need. Do it right there at the party, so everyone can be part of the process. Pray over the gift, that it can be distributed to just the right people at just the right time.

6. Go home full … in every way.

Good food, fellowship,  and the joy of generosity. THAT sounds like a party to me! Thanks for reading.