Halder , Olwyn (née Gaze)

- bn Auckland. N.Z.B.M.S. Missionary, East Pakistan/Bangladesh, 1962-1994. Member of Epsom. Trained at Greenlane Hospital and N.Z. Bible Training Institute, Auckland; Midwifery training Sydney. After language study in Darjeeling, Miss Gaze began work in Chandpur in 1964. In 1966 she relocated to Brahmanbaria where her primary ministry was through medical work. She was, however, also involved in evangelism and held pastoral and teaching roles over the course of her 32 years in mission. After the political upheavals of 1971 Miss Gaze returned to what was now Bangladesh and began teaching in the Christian Medical Centre. In 1978 she married Dinesh Halder – on staff at Brahmanbaria since 1973 – amid hopes that their partnership would further bridge relationships in the community. They continued serving together and later pastored the Brahmanbaria church. A gifted teacher, Mrs Halder’s influence went beyond the spheres of church and hospital work as she taught and discipled many people on a personal level. Refs: NZB May 1994, 13; 'Supplement to "N.Z. Baptist"', 1962.