Idaho County May feature

By: Dana Greig

Photo by: Joel Engbretson

Being led by faith, with mixed emotions

Eddie and Jemima Troyer have lived in Idaho County for the past ten years, and although they weren’t born and raised here like most of their neighbors out on Gill Point Road, they have felt at home from the start.  

Having been born in northwest Montana, Eddie has always felt the Northwest to be in his blood. Although he and his family moved to Kentucky when he was eight, they made trips back often to visit family that still lived there.

Before meeting Eddie, Jemima fell in love with the west through a friend. Through their mutual affection for the west, the couple told their families that someday, when the doors opened, they wanted to move west.

Those doors started creeping open in 2011 when Eddie received a call from cousin, Aaron Troyer, who urged them to join the Mennonite church plant being developed in Grangeville.

“For us, church comes first,” explained Eddie. “As a general rule, we move for church and then find a job.”

In 2014 they finally made the leap to follow the call and their western dreams with their young children Derek, Wanda and Lynette who were 13, 11 and 8 respectively at the time.

A key reason for their quick connection in the community was their youngest, Lynette, who has Aicardi Syndrome. The rare genetic malformation characterized by the absent or underdeveloped tissue connecting the two sides of the brain causes multiple hardships including regular seizures and requires frequent doctor visits.

“That really opened up connections that made us friends,” explained Jemima.

Other ways friendships grew were through Eddie’s work in his businesses as a specialty hay grower and building contractor/owner of Rocky Canyon Construction, as well as their neighbors. Namely, Ted Wilkins, whose extremely friendly demeanor and drive to share stories were always welcome at the Troyer home.

“He [Ted] made us feel so at home,” reminisced a smiling Jemima.

“The people here have accepted us so well,” emphasized Eddie. “The local farmers for instance, they just treat us like one of them which is huge to us.”

Another way they immersed themselves in Grangeville was through their church, where it turned out, Eddie received the unexpected call to serve the congregation as a deacon.

“It’s been a real experience,” Eddie said. "I felt the call. There’s no question that I felt God’s call to the ministry.”

However, Eddie further explained that in the Mennonite church, that isn’t something you advertise or pursue on your own. He wasn’t campaigning for the position when he was selected to be ordained. Instead, Eddie said the Lord made it clear he wanted him in the ministry through the organic, traditional ballot process within the congregation.

Aside from their work in the church, the Troyers agree the Lord has allowed them to go through many educational experiences. From helping others through hard circumstances to their own medical situations, their years here have given them not only the ability to empathize with others but also necessary tools for offering help they wouldn’t have known how to give years ago.

“For me, it’s been a very fulfilling calling, and I’ve enjoyed it,” explained Eddie. “It’s been a serious learning curve. Nine years ago, when I was ordained, I wouldn’t have been remotely prepared to do something like we’re doing now. The last nine years have educated me way beyond anything I had prior, and has prepared me, and us, for what’s next.”

Eddie’s call to be a pastor led the couple to multiple more callings, having been invited often to travel and preach around the Pacific Northwest. It was during one of his traveling preaching tours they met the people of Montana who would later call and ask him to be the preacher at their new church plant.

The couple sat with the request for two weeks before telling their children, and even longer before sharing with anyone outside of the family. They prayed thoroughly about it and agreed to move to Montana if all the necessary doors opened to allow them to do so without question.

“At times I hoped some of the doors wouldn’t open,” admitted Jemima, with Eddie in agreeance. “Part of us just doesn’t want to leave.”

After a long process, it was determined their answer would indeed be yes. Although the couple agrees it’s been a hard truth to accept, they both know it’s time to leave a place full of people they love to continue the work they have been made to do.

 With mixed emotions, the couple plan to move this month. Lynette, now 19, will move with them. Wanda, now 22, plans to do a term of service, possibly in Chile Spring of 2026. Their oldest, Derek, now 24, just completed a two-year service in Mexico at a boy’s foster home where he met his fiancé who was serving in the girl’s foster home. The couple is undecided where they will make their home.

As for Rocky Canyon Construction, Eddie explained their two crews will continue to work under the new ownership of a young man with years of experience that he is confident will do great.

The Troyers cherish what they feel blessed to be carrying with them; memories, deep bonds, hard-won lessons, and a faith that continues to guide their steps. Their emotions may be mixed, but their purpose is clear. Grangeville will always be part of their story, even as they step into the next chapter of ministry and service in Montana.