In the highlands of Ecuador, worship is full of life and warmth. Early on Sunday mornings, families walk through the cool mountain air wearing traditional ponchos and carrying Bibles. Many churches are simple buildings made of brick or concrete with brightly painted walls, wooden benches and handmade decorations. Some churches are small and filled with only 30 people, while others are filled with hundreds worshipping together.

The sound of worship is lively and beautiful. You may hear guitars, drums, tambourines and traditional instruments like a rondador (pan flute), pingullo (flute), bocina (curved horn), tinya (drum) and chajchas (a shaker made from goat hooves). 

People sing praises in Spanish and sometimes in Indigenous languages like Kichwa. In some communities, children clap while women dance gracefully in celebration. Across South America — from Ecuador to Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia and beyond — worship often feels like a joyful family gathering full of music, prayer, hugs and hope.

As a Compassion photojournalist, I remember one special moment in a church high in the Andes mountains in Ecuador. During a service, suddenly, the electricity went out. But nobody stopped worshipping. The room became dark except for sunlight shining through the windows. Then the whole church began singing together without microphones or instruments. Their voices echoed through the mountains with so much joy that it gave me goosebumps. 

In that moment, I was reminded that worship isn’t about lights or big buildings: It’s about hearts praising God together. No matter where you live, you can praise God. He hears every song, every prayer and every thankful heart.