A GENEROUS offer by a German cleric was given recognition at the official opening and dedication of the Inspiration Centre in Okehampton on Sunday afternoon. Special guest of honour for the opening of the multi-use community centre in Northfield Road was Pastor Mrs Hedwig Furmaier, from the town of Waldshut-Tiengen in Germany, whose generosity helped the church in its quest for funding to make the project possible. The opening ribbon was cut by Mrs Furmaier, from the Zentrum Fur Christen Centre, in Waldshut-Tiengen, Germany. Waldshut is situated in the southern part of the Black Forest, on the Swiss border. Mrs Furmaier, a Church of the Nations International minister, has recently returned from mission trips to the United States and Sri Lanka. The Rev Mike Davies said that although both Hedwig and her church in Waldshut have had some connections with Okehampton?s Inspiration Church over the years, a common bond was formed between the two churches during a visit two years ago to South Africa. He said: ?As Zentrum Fur Christen were in a similar position to us it was a case of us both saying about the building needs of our individual churches. I was overwhelmed when some months later I received a letter from our bank to advise that Zentrum Fur Christen church in Waldshut had deposited a large sum of money into our main bank account. ?Hedwig then explained to me that as ti was unlikely that they would have enough funds to finish their project that they believed it was right to pass their deposited funds to us so at least one of us could finish the building project ? an unbelievable step of friendship.? Mr Davies thanked all who had worked endlessly in the last three years preparing and developing the property. He mentioned, in particular, the Rev Chris Bourne whose assistance with drawings, planning applications, and oversight of the building work had been vital. Mr Davies also thanked the church elders and the trustees for supporting the vision. The centre will be used to host Alpha and Marriage Courses, drugs awareness courses for parents, the Tuesday ?Springboard? club for five to eleven year old children and the Sunday ?E3? club for secondary school age youngsters. Among guests at the ceremony were West Devon mayor Mrs Jayne Hill; Okehampton mayor and mayoress Tony and Sue Leech; Geoffrey Cox MP and Mrs Jeannie Cox; Okehampton deputy mayor Frances Luxton; town clerk Don Bent; chairman of Christians Together in Okehampton the Rev Mark Thomas; the Rev David and Mrs Esther Waters, of New Life Church, and Natwest Plymouth area manager Mr Bradley Bryant. The visiting dignitaries were presented with bouquets of flowers by Katie Thorne.