The Inn at Paradise (Albuquerque - Tuesday and Wednesday Nights)

One of the perks about participating in noble causes and charity work is that people like you. As a result, most of the hotels and places that we stay are given to us complimentary. People like what we are doing and they want to help us out any way that they can. Usually it is the big hotel chains (Double Tree, Hampton, Sheraton, Hilton, ect) that can afford to comp our rooms but in Albuquerque, we got the opportunity to stay at the Inn at Paradise.



The Inn at Paradise is a beautiful family owned hotel on a country club golf course. The rooms are large and comfortable with a large deck that overlooks what I can only assume is the Garden of Eden. The Niemczak family has owned the inn for almost 11 years now.







Because I was not raised in an overly religious family, I sometimes forget the power of faith in a higher presence. The Niemczak family is Polish and they are stanch Christians. I know this because I ate breakfast and spoke with the mother during my stay there. As I have mentioned several times, most people are extremely enthusiastic about our cause. Mrs. Niemczak was the first person that I have met who was genuinely disappointed that we are not a religious organization (we are a business organization). It was not that she did not believe in our cause or that she was biased against non-religious groups; it is just that she thinks that we cannot be as effective.

Her reasoning was that people (especially children) are not just hungry physically but also emotionally. “They are hungry for love”, she tells me. She believes that our efforts must be combined with pray. “We must put our trust in the Lord.”

I am not sure that praying will help anybody physically (what I am aiming for- curing physical hunger). But after talking to Mrs. Niemczak, I believe that she is right. Eighty-seven percent of Americans identify as being religious. Religious beliefs play a large role in who we are as Americans and dictate a large part of our lifestyles. I think that this is essential to keep in mind as we continue to move across the country. To best help someone, we have to know who they are and where they are coming from. This means recognizing and embracing the power of religion in the face of a national issue.

With this in mind, I will couple my efforts with pray from now on - because if nothing else, it will at least keep hunger at the forefront of my thoughts.

If you would like more information about the Inn at Paradise please visit: http://www.innatparadise.com/index.html