File photo of Carnival in Jacmel, via mnnonline.org

Yesterday was Mardis Gras, or Shrove Tuesday -- the day before Lent starts (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday). It's a day of penitence, a time to cleanse the soul, and a time of serious reflection, reports MNN.

However, Haiti will be entering this period after finally blowing off some steam with Carnival this year. They are still coping with the devastation of a deadly quake and a cholera epidemic.

Eva DeHart with For Haiti With Love explains, "The international community has pretty much gone other directions now. Haiti is feeling very forgotten again."

Morale was low--a dangerous precedent for the March 20 polls. "The Haitians felt like they'd been through enough of a year that they needed a party. The country kind of overruled logic, and it's ‘Party Time.' They're going to do their Carnival time as sort of an uplifting event to get people's morale back up."

Voters will be electing a new president and a new Parliament. Those elected will face daunting challenges as Haiti rebuilds itself. "We just need to keep them in prayer that somehow they make it through these upcoming days with peace prevailing over the country."

Tensions remain just below the surface. Haiti must have an elected government that can help guide reconstruction efforts and priorities for all Haitians. Violence is not far from flashpoint.

For Haiti is praying against unrest, but their team is in the U.S. making a supply run for the clinic. DeHart says they want to "make sure that all of our first aid-type supplies are really boosted up so that we're ready for that event, if it occurs. Other than that, there's not much of a way to prepare for it."

After the party fades away, the serious side of the season emerges. People will start preparing themselves for what will be the first step in the nation's transformation. The hope of Christ is stronger glue for the community than people know. "Changes in Haiti are going to have to take place through the hearts of the Haitian people first. Hopefully, that's the area that we've entered. Pray that God strengthens His stand through them."