In second life, you just type it into the chat, and when they get on-line, they get the message, they also have voice, which is so good, no need to type you just talk and you can carry on doing what you like.
MA hasnt addressed these functions at all.
The problem with finding a person, well, thats like rl, you have to phone them, look them up google them, ask friends, use your head.... email, MSN.
Ef them...
Maybe join there soc for 1 day and then add them, and then leave.
Good luck out there
Moonfish