The Eschbach-Pippin Family

-- Family members: Five generations of daughters: Verlyn Eschbach, 82, Ferndale; Cortess Pippin, 62, Renton/Sri Lanka; Ruby Gloden, 39, Tacoma; Talina Markale, 20, Fort Lewis; Kailyn Kortess Markale, 4 months.

-- How they stay close: This is the first time the five generations have been together. Great-great Grandma Eschbach does not have the mobility to make the trip south often from her Ferndale home. The five generations were brought together last month because Pippin is home temporarily from her post as a missionary in Sri Lanka, where she counsels teen drug addicts through sponsorship of the Assemblies of God Church. Her latest stint was 2 1/2 years, although she has worked in India and Sri Lanka since 1981. "We keep the mailman busy," said Pippin, who lives in a village with only two telephones.

-- Coping with separation: "They miss me, but they know this has been a calling in my life since I was a teen-ager," said Pippin, who has two other daughters, Dorothy Scheuffele of Renton and Carol Meldrum of Seattle, and a son, Dave Pippin of Wisconsin. Her siblings are Voy Eschbach of La Conner, Rose Church of Lynden and Iness Scott of Bellingham. "It's always difficult to say goodbye to your sweethearts and family members." Her mother, who knows Pippin's August departure will come much too soon, says determinedly: "I'm not going to let it bother me this time. I know she's doing the Lord's work there and she has many friends in her village. I'm not going to let it bother me."

-- Why Pippin keeps going back: Pippin lives what she calls a "medium level" lifestyle in Sri Lanka. No TV, no telephone, no car. Her village is near tea and rubber plantations. "You have to love the people," said Pippin, who said there are 40,000 addicts in Sri Lanka, off the southeast coast of India. "They want the truth, `How can I change?' That is what pulls you back for the next session and the next session and the next session."