Article contentIn early November, the police made another public appeal for help in locating Wood.Article contentOntario media reported at that time that the police were calling the disappearance suspicious and that evidence pointed to foul play, although the police said they couldn’t disclose information about the investigation.Article contentWell over a month since the fire, there were still no answers about Wood’s whereabouts.Article content Eli Wood has been missing since Oct. 19. Wood lived in Ontario but has family in Digby.Article contentBack in Digby on the night of the vigil, people were not giving up hope as they prayed that Wood would be found safe. Many people led the vigil in prayer.Article contentDavid McClelland has known the Wood family for years.Article content“The important thing is for us to come together to show support for all of the family, to come together to pray, because we know that God is able to answer prayer,” he said.Article content“One of the most difficult things for a person to go through must be to lose a close family member, or for that person to be lost and not know where they are. Our prayers are with you,” McClelland said to Wood’s family.Article contentArticle content“As I was thinking of Eli and interactions, Eli was just very perceptive, always willing to help others, always interested in others, always helping with children, always helping with their younger siblings,” he said.Article content“This is a person that is very perceptive, understanding how people think, understanding how to deal with people, interacting with the children. Interacting with people in group homes and other social settings,” added McClelland. “This is someone that really wants to support, and so in that spirit we’re coming together to offer support.”Article contentWhile Wood has ties to Digby, there are also Yarmouth ties too, as Wood attended school in Yarmouth. As a Grade 12 student at Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School, Wood had a gold-medal showing at a Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa that encouraged people never to stop learning.Article contentArticle contentWood’s project studied the use of a sensor and a cooling device element combination to help treat situational anxiety, potentially allowing people to be treated for their anxiety without needing medication.Article content“My project was born out of the desire to help people with their anxiety,” Wood had said in a bio that accompanied the project, adding, “Learning is how we change the world, and how we think about the world.”Article contentAt the vigil, three of Wood’s favourite songs were sung, which included Sunday school songs.Article content Favourite songs of Eli Wood were sung at a Nov. 28 candlelight and prayer vigil in Digby. An investigation into Wood’s disappearance in Ontario began on Oct. 19. TINA COMEAUArticle contentAs he led the group in prayer and song, McClelland said, “At times like this, we hardly know what to say, and how to speak and what to ask for. We know that you are a God of all comfort, and we’re thankful for this. Give the family members strength. Give them courage to go on.”Article contentAs he offered prayers, Mark Cress opened by saying, “We all wish we didn’t need to be here, but here we are. We’re present tonight to pray, we’re seeking God … our Savior for help, and for strength. And despite what might be on many a person’s mind, we’re praying for Eli’s safe return.”
Bring Eli Wood home: Vigil held to support Digby family in missing person case
