Travis Henderson may be missing. But just because he’s out ofsight doesn’t mean he’s out of mind, his family and friends saidSaturday with a show of solidarity at a community vigil held in hishonor.

“I know the Lord, and every night I pray for my children, thatGod would save their souls,” said Dot Catchings, Henderson’smother. “Whatever happens to their bodies, just save theirsouls.”

Henderson was reported missing on Jan. 8, one day after his carwas found abandoned in a rural area in the northeast corner of thecounty.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the case isstill classified as a missing persons investigation. Chief DeputyJohnny Hall said the department has worked tirelessly to try toascertain Henderson’s whereabouts.

“This case is getting to me because I know Travis,” Hall said.”We’ve been turning over every stone, asking questions ofeveryone.”

Catchings said Henderson’s 3-year-old son Austin has asked forhis father a few times, and that finding the words to answer himtakes more strength than she has.

“I don’t know where to start thinking of what to tell him,” shesaid. “I’m not that strong. But then, he might be stronger thanme.”

Catchings said it’s the feeling of her and her husband Fred, aswell as Henderson’s father Alvin “Hawk” Henderson, that they justwant to locate Henderson – alive or dead. She made an appeal to thepublic at the vigil.

“Just show us where he is, whether he’s alive or dead,” shesaid. “Just let us find him. We just need closure.”

Jocelyn Jackson, Henderson’s sister, said it’s the waiting thatmakes the whole process so unbearable.

During the time since her brother went missing, there have beenrumors and false alarms pertaining to his whereabouts. Every time anew false lead has come in, law enforcement and the family bothhave ridden a roller coaster of hope and disappointment.

Jackson, who is only two years older than Henderson, said shejust wants to see her brother brought home, whatever it takes.

“He’s my baby brother,” she said. “I just want him home, eitherway. Our family needs closure, and if there’s anyone who can tellus any information, I’m begging them to give it to us.”

Henderson’s younger sister, Brittney Henderson, said the wholething has seemed surreal since her brother disappeared, but thatshe’s putting her faith in God to bring the situation to aresolution.

“When I first heard he was missing it was such a shock and itdidn’t seem real until I called my dad,” she said. “He’s my brotherthat if I need anything he gives it to me. He’s always looking outfor me, and I miss him so bad.”

Catchings said one thing that has been a comfort to her duringthe time her son has been missing is how many people love him.

In addition to all his brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, andcousins, people in the community seem just as concerned aboutHenderson’s whereabouts. She said sometimes she talks toHenderson’s youngest brother, 15-year-old Chase Catchings, aboutit.

“I pick him up from basketball, and I tell him, ‘That Travis, hesure is popular,'” she said. “We’ve had so many people reaching outto us, bringing us food, calling, coming by and seeking answers. Weall just want an answer.”

The idea that someone would have hurt her son is one she’s hadto face, she said.

“Travis was always such a sweet kid. He wouldn’t do anything tohurt anyone,” she said.

Then she added with a laugh, “If anything, he’d run.”

Catchings said the family is preparing for the worst but hopingfor the best.

The family has had several deaths in recent years, but they hopethat Henderson will be home safely. In addition, they are extremelygrateful for all the help they’ve received along the way in thesearch.

“There are family members and friends that have been out thereevery day looking, trying to find anything that might tell us wherehe is,” she said.

And there are always the prayers. As each of the speakers at thevigil stressed, faith in the Lord will help you through the hardtimes, and Catchings said she has been leaning on the Lord in hertime of trouble.

“I ask for peace for everyone, and for comfort for those wholove Travis who don’t know how to ask it for themselves,” she said.”But it’s taken time. When this first happened, I couldn’t evenpray, couldn’t even get down on my knees.”

The entire family continued to stress one point, however. Theysaid at this point what has happened to Travis is not their concernas much as where he is and bringing him home.

“I’m not worried about who hurt him if he’s hurt, just where heis,” she said. “Call someone, call anyone, if you know where he is,dead or alive. I know y’all understand that it’s the missing partthat gets in my heart.”

Jackson said the same thing, adding that faith has helped herwhen she starts feeling angry about her brother’sdisappearance.

“Whoever knows where he is or who hurt him won’t have to answerto us, but they will have to answer to God,” she said. “Even if wenever find the answers, God knows them. That’s where I draw mystrength.”