ok,

Lets back up a bit and make sure the PIC is communicating properly.
Connect the PIC to the PC without the MAX232, we will be using inverted mode.
The below code will send to the terminal only when "SOS" is sent to the PIC, from the terminal.

If this does not work then we know the problem is with the PIC... being you can communicate with the VDIP via the PC terminal.
Code:
X	VAR	BYTE
X = 0
TXOUT:
X = X + 1
SERIN2  PORTC.5,16468,[WAIT("SOS")]
SEROUT2 PORTC.4,16468,["MESSAGE RECEIVED!!!",13]
SEROUT2 PORTC.4,16468,["THIS IS A TEST",13]'9600 INVERTED
SEROUT2 PORTC.4,16468,[DEC X,13]
PAUSE 250
GOTO TXOUT
http://www.melabs.com/resources/ser2modes.htm