What is the significance of the statue of Jesus that Enrique encounters in Enrique's Journey?

For Enrique, as for many of the other migrants, the statue of Jesus is a sign of hope. As their train enters Veracruz, the migrants are greeted by the outstretched arms of God’s only begotten son. This loving welcome contrasts sharply with the hatred and contempt that Enrique has encountered during his long and arduous journey.
It's notable that when Enrique looks out of the train window and sees a woman and a boy running alongside the tracks, he automatically assumes that they're going to throw rocks at him. This is an inevitable, and perfectly understandable, reaction to Enrique's negative experiences as he's traveled throughout Central America. Yet the woman and the boy surprise him. Instead of throwing rocks at him, they throw gifts of food. Their selflessness and compassion give Enrique some much-needed hope.